Goody
What it means
A small desirable item, treat, or gift, especially one given for enjoyment.
Reach for it when naming a modest pleasure in a cheerful, informal voice
Each guest found a handmade goody beside the place card.
Words to choose between 6
| playful |
|
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
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playful
Fits when the item is free and promotional
Careful Freebie can cheapen a personally chosen goody.
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everyday
Fits when the item is earned or won
Careful Prize misstates a treat that everyone receives.
-
everyday
Fits when the item is specifically a small sugary food
Careful Sweet is wrong for toys, samples, or savory goodies.
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everyday
trinket
Fits when a small ornamental object has little practical value
Careful Trinket can sound dismissive and cannot name something edible.
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warm
Fits when generosity and the relationship to the recipient matter
Careful Gift is more dignified and may be valuable rather than a playful extra.
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warm
Fits when a small pleasure or reward is the main idea
Careful A treat may be an experience, whereas a goody is usually a thing.
Contrasts 3
Goody has no true opposite. The contrasts listed set optional treats against necessities and punishment.
- necessity
- staple
- penalty
Common phrases 3
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little goody
A little goody thanked each child for returning a library book.
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bag of goodies
The bag of goodies contained fruit, stickers, and a puzzle.
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holiday goody
The bakery donates one holiday goody with every meal delivery.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated