my goodness

English

Alternative forms

• oh my goodness; oh, my goodness

Etymology

Minced oath for my God.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /maɪ ˈɡʊdnəs/, /maɪ ˈɡʊdnɪs/

Interjection

my goodness

1. (US, Canada, minced oath) Used to express surprise, shock, or amazement.

   My goodness, what a loud noise!

Synonyms

• goodness me, my word, oh my, oh my God; see also Thesaurus:wow

Translations

used to express surprise, shock, or amazement

• Dutch: mijn God, mijn hemel, mensenkinderen (nl)
• Finnish: hyvänen aika, herranjestas (fi)
• German: meine Güte, ach du meine Güte
• Italian: mamma mia (it)
• Romanian: măiculiță (ro)
• Scottish Gaelic: mo chreach
• Yiddish: אוי־וויי (oy-vey)