goodwill
gb/ɡˈʊdwˈɪl/ us/ɡˈʊdwˈɪl/
B2
English
~ 8800
jóindulat, jóakarat, üzleti vagy cégérték, goodwill, jóindulatú gesztus, méltányossági gesztus, méltányossági kifizetés
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] has/shows goodwill toward [someone/something]
The new manager tried to build goodwill by listening carefully to employees' concerns.
Az új vezető azzal próbált jóindulatot kelteni a dolgozókban, hogy figyelmesen meghallgatta az aggályaikat.
Donating to local charities helped the company create goodwill in the community.
A helyi jótékonysági szervezeteknek nyújtott adományok segítettek a vállalatnak jóindulatot kelteni a helyi közösségben.
Despite the long conflict, there is still some goodwill between the two groups.
They entered the talks in a spirit of goodwill and compromise.
Her offer to help was a sign of genuine goodwill toward her neighbors.
Learner examples
The two teams met with goodwill and respect.
A két csapat jóindulattal és tisztelettel találkozott.
The company gave free masks to show goodwill toward its customers.
A vállalat ingyenes maszkokat adott, hogy kimutassa jóindulatát az ügyfelei iránt.
Helping your neighbors can create goodwill in your street.
There is a lot of goodwill toward the new teacher.
The mayor wants to build goodwill between the police and the public.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "goodwill" with "good will" as two separate words. In this sense it is almost always written as one word: "goodwill". They may also overuse it in everyday small situations where "kindness" or "friendliness" would sound more natural (for example, saying *"Thanks for your goodwill"* instead of the more natural *"Thanks for your help"*).
Meaning
friendly, kind attitude to others
Collocations
show goodwill
|express goodwill
|build goodwill
|earn goodwill
|in a spirit of goodwill
|goodwill toward others
Synonyms
kindness (Focuses more on being kind in general, not specifically on the attitude between two sides or groups.)
|
goodwill (Often used in diplomacy or business to stress a cooperative, non-hostile attitude between parties.)
|
friendliness (Suggests a warm, open manner rather than an attitude about ongoing relations or cooperation.)
Antonyms
hostility (Stresses active anger and opposition instead of a friendly, cooperative attitude.)
|
ill will (Means a negative or unfriendly feeling toward someone, the direct opposite of goodwill.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|work
|politics
|relationships
Definition
A kind, friendly feeling toward someone, which makes you want to help them or treat them well.
A positive, friendly, and helpful attitude or feeling toward a person, group, or organization, often shown by being fair, cooperative, or generous.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
goodwill
C2
Usage pattern:
the goodwill of [a company] / record goodwill on [a balance sheet]
The acquiring firm paid a premium that was recorded as goodwill on its balance sheet.
A felvásárló cég felárat fizetett, amelyet üzleti vagy cégértékként mutattak ki a mérlegében.
After the scandal, auditors required the company to write down a large portion of its goodwill.
A botrány után a könyvvizsgálók előírták, hogy a vállalat az üzleti vagy cégértéke jelentős részére számoljon el értékvesztést.
Goodwill often reflects strong customer loyalty and long-term business relationships.
Investors worried when the company reported a major goodwill impairment.
When a business is sold, the purchase price is often higher than the value of its assets because of goodwill.
Learner examples
The company showed a large amount of goodwill in its financial report.
A vállalat nagy összegű üzleti vagy cégértéket mutatott ki a pénzügyi beszámolójában.
When one company buys another, it may record goodwill as an asset.
Amikor egy vállalat megvásárol egy másikat, az üzleti vagy cégértéket eszközként mutathatja ki.
Goodwill can come from strong brands and loyal customers.
If a company loses customers, its goodwill may go down in value.
Accountants must check each year if the goodwill on the balance sheet is still correct.
Common mistake:
Learners often assume this business sense means the same as the everyday emotional sense. In accounting, "goodwill" is a formal asset on the balance sheet, not just general kindness. They may also incorrectly make it plural (*"goodwills"*) in this context; it is almost always used as an uncountable noun.
Meaning
intangible business value from reputation
Collocations
corporate goodwill
|brand goodwill
|carry goodwill on the balance sheet
|write down goodwill
|goodwill impairment
|value of goodwill
Synonyms
intangible asset (A broader technical term; goodwill is one specific type of intangible asset.)
|
reputation value (Non-technical phrase that highlights the part of goodwill that comes from a firm's good name.)
Antonyms
goodwill impairment (Not a direct lexical opposite but a technical term for the reduction of recorded goodwill when its value falls.)
|
net tangible assets (Refers to the physical and financial assets without any extra intangible value like goodwill.)
Themes
business
|finance
|law
Definition
In business and accounting, extra value that a company has because of its good name, loyal customers, and strong relationships, which is written as an asset when another company buys it.
In accounting, an intangible asset representing the excess value of a company based on its reputation, customer relationships, and other non-physical advantages, usually recorded when one company buys another for more than the fair value of its net assets.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is a goodwill [gesture/payment/visit]
As a goodwill gesture, the airline offered vouchers to all affected passengers.
Jóindulatú gesztusként a légitársaság utalványokat ajánlott fel minden érintett utasnak.
The company made a small goodwill payment to customers who had experienced delays.
A vállalat kisebb méltányossági kifizetést teljesített azoknak az ügyfeleknek, akik késedelmet szenvedtek.
The president’s goodwill visit to the region was meant to ease tensions.
They sent a gift basket as a token of goodwill after the misunderstanding.
In a goodwill move, the landlord reduced the rent for one month.
Learner examples
The shop gave me a free coffee as a goodwill gesture after the long wait.
A hosszú várakozás után az üzlet jóindulatú gesztusként adott nekem egy ingyen kávét.
The bank sent a goodwill payment to people who lost money in the error.
A bank méltányossági kifizetést utalt azoknak, akik a hiba miatt pénzt veszítettek.
The leader went on a goodwill visit to the neighboring country.
He wrote a letter of apology as a token of goodwill.
The company offered free repairs as a goodwill action, even after the warranty ended.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "goodwill" here always means the feeling only. In phrases like "goodwill gesture" or "goodwill payment", it refers to a concrete action that shows goodwill. They may also say *"gesture for goodwill"* instead of the fixed pattern "gesture of goodwill".
Meaning
kind act to improve relations
Collocations
gesture of goodwill
|goodwill gesture
|token of goodwill
|goodwill payment
|goodwill visit
|goodwill tour
Synonyms
gesture of goodwill (A common fixed phrase; focuses on the act as a visible sign of goodwill.)
|
concession (Suggests something given up to keep good relations, often in negotiations; may sound more strategic than warm.)
Antonyms
snub (A deliberate act of ignoring or rejecting someone instead of making a friendly gesture.)
|
provocation (An action done to anger or upset, opposite to a goodwill act meant to calm and improve relations.)
Themes
social
|business
|diplomacy
|relationships
Definition
A special thing that someone does, such as a payment or visit, to show kindness and keep a good relationship, not because they must do it.
An action, payment, or visit done mainly to show kindness and maintain or improve a relationship, rather than because of a legal or formal obligation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
goodwill
IPA
GB/ɡˈʊdwˈɪl/
US/ɡˈʊdwˈɪl/
Syllables & stress
good - will (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (good)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: goodwill
- Plural: goodwill
Word family
Expressions
goodwill gesture
1/ɡˈʊdwˈɪl d͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
action to improve relations
An action that someone takes to show kindness and to keep or improve a relationship.
Examples
- The apology and discount were offered as a goodwill gesture to customers.
- The government released the prisoners as a goodwill gesture before the talks.
goodwill mission
1/ɡˈʊdwˈɪl mˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
official mission to build relations
An official trip or task where people visit another place to show friendship and improve relations.
Examples
- The delegation traveled on a goodwill mission to rebuild trust after the conflict.
- Her goodwill mission focused on promoting education and health programs.
goodwill payment
1/ɡˈʊdwˈɪl pˈeɪmənt/
fixed phrase
voluntary payment to show goodwill
Money that a company gives to someone to say sorry or to keep a good relationship, even when it does not have to pay by law.
Examples
- The airline made a goodwill payment to passengers affected by the long delay.
- As a goodwill payment, the bank refunded one month of fees.
goodwill tour
1/ɡˈʊdwˈɪl tˈʊɹ/
fixed phrase
series of visits to show goodwill
A trip with many stops, where a person or group visits different places mainly to show friendship and support.
Examples
- The band went on a goodwill tour to thank their overseas fans.
- The royal couple’s goodwill tour included visits to hospitals and schools.
goodwill visit
1/ɡˈʊdwˈɪl vˈɪzɪt/
fixed phrase
formal
official visit to show goodwill
An official trip, usually by a leader or group, meant mainly to show friendship and support.
Examples
- The prime minister is on a goodwill visit to several African countries.
- The goodwill visit was aimed at strengthening cultural ties between the two cities.
out of goodwill
1/ˈaʊt əv ɡˈʊdwˈɪl/
fixed phrase
done from goodwill, not duty
Done because you want to be kind, not because you are required to do it.
Examples
- The mechanic fixed the problem out of goodwill and did not charge me.
- She offered extra lessons out of goodwill, even though she did not have to.
token of goodwill
1/tˈoʊkən əv ɡˈʊdwˈɪl/
fixed phrase
small gift showing goodwill
A small gift or action that shows you want to be kind or keep a good relationship.
Examples
- They sent flowers as a token of goodwill after the dispute.
- The company offered free upgrades as a token of goodwill to regular customers.
gesture of goodwill
1/d͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃɚ əv ɡˈʊdwˈɪl/
fixed phrase
act showing kindness or intent
An action you do to show you want to be friendly or helpful.
Examples
- They offered free drinks as a gesture of goodwill.
- As a gesture of goodwill, the hotel upgraded us to a better room.
- As a gesture of goodwill, the company fixed the problem for free.
- The company sent replacement products as a gesture of goodwill after the mistake.
goodwill ambassador
1/ɡˈʊdwˈɪl æmbˈæsədɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
official representative promoting goodwill
A person who is officially chosen to speak for an organization and help create friendly feelings toward it.
Examples
- The actor was named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador for children’s rights.
- She was named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador after years of supporting children’s rights.
- As a goodwill ambassador, she visits schools to talk about health and safety.
- The actor travels as a goodwill ambassador to raise awareness about refugees.