good-hearted

See also: goodhearted

English

Alternative forms

• goodhearted

Etymology

From Middle English gode herted.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡʊd.hɑː.təd/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ɡʊd.hɑɹ.təd/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Adjective

good-hearted (comparative more good-hearted or better-hearted, superlative most good-hearted or best-hearted)

1. (idiomatic) Kind and well-intentioned.
   • 1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 192:

     Good-hearted fellows in their way, true to each other, and invariably gentle and courteous to women, is the much-maligned and misunderstood digger.

   • 1925, L[ucy] M[aud] Montgomery, “A Supreme Moment”, in Emily Climbs, New York, N.Y.: A. L. Burt Company, page 130:

     It’s sweet of you to forgive her, Emily dear. You are better-hearted than I am. I’m afraid I could never pardon any one who had made me such a laughing stock.

   • 2010, Dilly Court, chapter 14, in A Mother’s Secret, London: Arrow Books, Random House, published 2011, →ISBN, page 263:

     ‘My pa is the best-hearted man in all of London,’ Lottie said, spooning pease pudding onto the plates. ‘He’s never turned anyone from the door or walked past a beggar on the streets.’

   • 2012 April 26, Tasha Robinson, “Film: Reviews: The Pirates! Band Of Misfits”, in The Onion AV Club‎^[1]:

     But Pirates! comes with all the usual Aardman strengths intact, particularly the sense that its characters and creators alike are too good-hearted and sweet to nitpick. The ambition is all in the craft rather than in the storytelling, but it’s hard to say no to the proficiency of that craft, or the mild good cheer behind it.