noun
[noncount] the quality or state of being good: such as
the quality or state of being kind, honest, generous, helpful, etc.
the quality or state of being useful or effective
used to express mild surprise or shock
People use I swear to goodness, I hope to goodness, or I wish to goodness to add force to a statement.
for goodness' sake
used to express surprise or annoyance
goodness knows