The quality of being handsome, comely, or dignified in appearance; physical attractiveness combined with noble bearing.
From 'goodly' with the abstract noun suffix '-ness,' which forms nouns expressing states or qualities. The '-ness' suffix is one of the most productive in English, inherited from Old English and Germanic roots.
You'll find 'goodliness' scattered throughout Renaissance poetry and religious texts as a serious descriptor—it wasn't just about prettiness but about a kind of *commanding* attractiveness. That's why 'goodness' means moral virtue but 'goodliness' means physical beauty—English was very particular about these distinctions.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.