goody-goody
C1Informal, often derogatory
Definition
Meaning
A person who is excessively or ostentatiously well-behaved, virtuous, or obedient, often to gain approval.
Used as a pejorative term for someone whose apparent moral superiority, eagerness to please authority, or avoidance of mischief is seen as irritating, insincere, or smug. Can also function as an adjective describing such behaviour or a person.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Carries strong connotations of disapproval and annoyance from the speaker. Implies the behaviour is performative, priggish, or intended to make others look bad by comparison. Primarily used by children and teenagers, or by adults in a dismissive or mocking tone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more common as a schoolyard term in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Similar frequency; a recognisable, if not extremely common, term.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Person] is a goody-goody.Don't be such a goody-goody.She gave me a goody-goody smile.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “goody two-shoes (very close synonym)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare and unprofessional. Would only be used in extremely informal office banter.
Academic
Not used in academic writing.
Everyday
Used in informal speech, especially among younger people, to criticise perceived sanctimoniousness.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Stop goody-goodying about and just admit you broke the window.
- He's always goody-goodying to the boss.
American English
- Quit goody-goodying and tell us what you really think.
- She spent the whole meeting goody-goodying for the manager's attention.
adverb
British English
- He smiled goody-goodily, knowing he'd told on us.
American English
- She nodded goody-goodily in agreement with the strict policy.
adjective
British English
- She gave me a terribly goody-goody look of disapproval.
- His goody-goody act doesn't fool anyone.
American English
- I can't stand his goody-goody attitude about the rules.
- It was a goody-goody response that avoided the real issue.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sister is such a goody-goody; she always tells our parents everything.
- Don't be a goody-goody, just try it!
- He was accused of being a goody-goody because he never joined in the pranks.
- Her goody-goody reputation made her quite unpopular with her peers.
- The novel's protagonist rejects the goody-goody morality of her upbringing.
- His goody-goody façade crumbled when evidence of his hypocrisy emerged.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone saying 'Goody, goody!' with a smug, pleased tone after following every rule perfectly – it's annoyingly virtuous.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORAL SUPERIORITY IS ANNOYING PERFORMANCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating literally as 'хороший-хороший'. This is meaningless. The closest cultural equivalent might be 'зубрила' (for academic over-achievement) or 'пай-девочка/мальчик', but 'goody-goody' focuses more on moral showiness than just studying hard.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a genuine compliment (it is always derogatory).
- Confusing it with 'goody' meaning 'something good or pleasant' (e.g., 'goody bag').
Practice
Quiz
In which situation would you MOST likely use the term 'goody-goody'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is virtually always used as a derogatory or mocking term. It criticises the person for being ostentatiously virtuous or obedient.
A 'teacher's pet' specifically seeks the teacher's favour, often through flattery or extra work. A 'goody-goody' is more about displaying general moral superiority and rule-following, which may or may not be directed solely at a teacher.
Yes, but it sounds childish or sarcastic. An adult might be called a goody-goody to imply they are behaving in a priggish, naively rule-bound, or smugly virtuous way.
They are near-perfect synonyms. 'Goody two-shoes' originates from an 18th-century children's story, but in modern usage, the terms are interchangeable, both conveying the same negative judgment.
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