Meaning

"Thank goodness" is what you say when you feel relief: something bad could have happened, and it didn't. The lost passport turns up, the test comes back negative, the rain stops before the picnic. It sounds like a breath going out.

It comes from "thank God", which many people still say. "Thank goodness" is the softer version, and it's the safer pick at work or with people you don't know, because it doesn't bring religion into the room. You can say it alone, at the start or at the end: "Thank goodness you're here", "It's Friday, thank goodness." Add "that" for a full sentence: "Thank goodness that's over." "Thank heavens" means the same and sounds a little old-fashioned.

In a conversation

OliviaJun
  1. Olivia
  2. Jun
  3. Olivia
  4. Jun
  5. Olivia
  6. Jun

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1Olivia says "Thank goodness." How does she feel?
2Why might someone choose "thank goodness" over "thank God" at work?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then say each line. Let your breath out on "thank goodness": the relief should be audible.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.