goodwill

American  

[good-wil] / ˈgʊdˈwɪl /

Or good will

noun

1. friendly disposition; benevolence; kindness.

   Synonyms:

   friendliness

2. cheerful acquiescence or consent.

3. Commerce. an intangible, saleable asset arising from the reputation of a business and its relations with its customers, distinct from the value of its stock and other tangible assets.

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goodwill British  

/ ˌɡʊdˈwɪl /

noun

1. a feeling of benevolence, approval, and kindly interest

2. (modifier) resulting from, showing, or designed to show goodwill

   the government sent a goodwill mission to Moscow

   a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF

3. willingness or acquiescence

4. accounting an intangible asset taken into account in assessing the value of an enterprise and reflecting its commercial reputation, customer connections, etc

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Related Words

See favor.

Etymology

Origin of goodwill

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English gōd willa. See good, will ²

Example Sentences

These gestures engender goodwill because music lovers have “an expectation of fairness” when buying concert tickets, said Pascal Courty, an economics professor at the University of Victoria.

From The Wall Street Journal

But despite the "enormity" of goodwill witnessed "in the city and beyond", Fr Gormley said Amy's loved ones are struggling to come to terms with "the reality of what has happened".

From BBC

Other attractions, including Aquaventure and the sprawling Dubai Miracle Garden, recently distributed free tickets to residents as a goodwill gesture.

From The Wall Street Journal

The UAE facilitated the release, the ministry said, adding that the decision was made on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of "goodwill".

From Barron's

The diplomatic path has narrowed significantly, but it remains an option, and will depend in part on the Islamic republic's goodwill.

From Barron's