[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/goodly/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [G](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/g/) / goodly # goodly adjective (goodly, goodlier, goodliest — old-fashioned) «goodly» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. (old-fashioned) A goodly amount means quite a large amount. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goodly/#m1) 2. (old, Bible) Goodly means good-looking, fine or pleasant. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goodly/#m2) ### In the lessons In everyday life today, people mostly use it in the phrase «a goodly number» or «a goodly sum», often with a smile because it sounds old. In the Bible and old stories, a goodly land or goodly person means a fine, beautiful one. It tells the reader the writing has an old-fashioned voice. ### Examples - A goodly crowd turned up for the school fair. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goodly/#x1) - Grandpa saved a goodly sum for his holiday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goodly/#x2) - We waited a goodly while for the bus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goodly/#x3) - (Bible) «I have a goodly heritage.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goodly/#x4) - In the old tale, the prince rode to a goodly castle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goodly/#x5) - The cake was a goodly size. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goodly/#x6) - A nobleman went hunting one autumn, and with him went a goodly train of huntsmen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goodly/#x7) ### Note It looks like an adverb because of -ly, but it is an adjective: «a goodly amount». Not used much in everyday speech; «a good amount» or «quite a lot» is more usual. ## In Jewish tradition In these texts it means fine, beautiful or pleasant to look at. **Interpretation.** "How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob" was said by Balaam. It is one of the best-known verses and opens the morning prayers in many synagogues. Tradition reads it as praise for the modesty of Israel's homes and for their houses of study. ### Examples - Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. (Torah GEN.49.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goodly/#x1) - How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings, O Israel! (Torah NUM.24.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goodly/#x2) - lest when thou hast eaten and art satisfied, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; (Torah DEU.8.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goodly/#x3) - Now he was ruddy, and withal of beautiful eyes, and goodly to look upon. (Prophets 1SA.16.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goodly/#x4) - The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. (Writings PSA.16.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goodly/#x5) - Thine ointments have a goodly fragrance; thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the maidens love thee. (Writings SNG.1.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goodly/#x6) ### Note It looks like an adverb because of -ly, but it is an adjective: «a goodly amount». Not used much in everyday speech; «a good amount» or «quite a lot» is more usual. ## Early Modern English ### Meaning fine, handsome or pleasing to see. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/G/goodly/#m1) ### Then and now Today it is old-fashioned, mostly meaning quite large as in 'a goodly amount'; here it means fine or pleasing. ### Examples - Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. (Torah GEN.49.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/G/goodly/#x1) - The garden bloomed with a goodly show of the fairest roses. (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/G/goodly/#x2) - How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings, O Israel! (Torah NUM.24.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/G/goodly/#x3) ### Note Today: fine, handsome. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «goodly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/goodly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«goodly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/goodly.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «goodly» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/G/goodly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«goodly» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/goodly.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «goodly» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/G/goodly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«goodly» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/goodly.html) on Mova free.