do-gooder
|do/good/er|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈduːˌɡʊdər/
🇬🇧
/ˈduːˌɡʊdə/
idealistic helper
Etymology
Etymology Information
'do-gooder' originates from English, combining 'do' meaning 'to perform' and 'good' meaning 'beneficial or kind.'
Historical Evolution
'do-gooder' evolved from the phrase 'do good' used in the 19th century to describe charitable acts, eventually becoming a noun in the 20th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'someone who does good deeds,' but over time it evolved to sometimes imply naivety or impracticality.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who seeks to help others, often in a way that is considered naive or overly idealistic.
The do-gooder organized a charity event to help the homeless.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/02/15 09:49