good
Americanadjective
-
better,
comparative
-
best
superlative
-
morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious.
a good man.
- Synonyms:
- upright, exemplary, worthy, meritorious, conscientious, moral, pure
-
satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree.
a good teacher;
good health.
- Synonyms:
- admirable, outstanding, adequate
-
of high quality; excellent.
-
right; proper; fit.
It is good that you are here.
His credentials are good.
-
well-behaved.
a good child.
-
kind, beneficent, or friendly.
to do a good deed.
- Synonyms:
- obliging, gracious, humane, benevolent, kindly
-
honorable or worthy; in good standing.
a good name.
-
educated and refined.
She has a good background.
-
financially sound or safe.
His credit is good.
-
genuine; not counterfeit.
a good quarter.
-
sound or valid.
good judgment;
good reasons.
-
reliable; dependable; responsible.
good advice.
-
healthful; beneficial.
Fresh fruit is good for you.
-
in excellent condition; healthy.
good teeth.
-
not spoiled or tainted; edible; palatable.
The meat was still good after three months in the freezer.
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favorable; propitious.
good news.
-
cheerful; optimistic; amiable.
in good spirits.
-
free of distress or pain; comfortable.
to feel good after surgery.
-
agreeable; pleasant.
Have a good time.
-
attractive; handsome.
She has a good figure.
-
(of the complexion) smooth; free from blemish.
-
close or intimate; warm.
She's a good friend of mine.
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sufficient or ample.
a good supply.
-
advantageous; satisfactory for the purpose.
a good day for fishing.
- Synonyms:
- profitable, beneficial, serviceable, useful
-
competent or skillful; clever.
a good manager;
good at arithmetic.
-
skillfully or expertly done.
a really good job;
a good play.
-
conforming to rules of grammar, usage, etc.; correct.
good English.
-
socially proper.
good manners.
-
remaining available to one.
Don't throw good money after bad.
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comparatively new or of relatively fine quality.
Don't play in the mud in your good clothes.
-
finest or most dressy.
He wore his good suit to the office today.
-
full.
a good day's journey away.
-
fairly large or great.
a good amount.
-
free from precipitation or cloudiness.
good weather.
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Medicine/Medical. (of a patient's condition) having stable and normal vital signs, being conscious and comfortable, and having excellent appetite, mobility, etc.
-
fertile; rich.
good soil.
-
loyal.
a good political party member.
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(of a return or service in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) landing within the limits of a court or section of a court.
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Informal. (used when declining an offer or suggestion, as to communicate that one is already satisfied).
"More coffee?" "No thanks, I’m good!"
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Horse Racing. (of the surface of a track) drying after a rain so as to be still slightly sticky.
This horse runs best on a good track.
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(of meat, especially beef ) noting or pertaining to the specific grade below “choice,” containing more lean muscle and less edible fat than “prime” or “choice.”
-
favorably regarded (used as an epithet for a ship, town, etc.).
the good ship Syrena.
noun
-
goods
plural
-
profit or advantage; worth; benefit.
What good will that do?
We shall work for the common good.
-
excellence or merit; kindness.
to do good.
-
moral righteousness; virtue.
to be a power for good.
-
(especially in the grading of U.S. beef) an official grade below that of “choice.”
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goods,
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possessions, especially movable effects or personal property.
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articles of trade; wares; merchandise.
canned goods.
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Informal. what has been promised or is expected.
to deliver the goods.
-
Informal. items that are authentic rather than imitation; the genuine article.
If you want real pearls, we have the goods.
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Informal. evidence of guilt, as stolen articles.
to catch someone with the goods.
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cloth or textile material.
top-quality linen goods.
-
Chiefly British. merchandise sent by land, rather than by water or air.
-
-
the good,
-
the ideal of goodness or morality.
-
good things or persons collectively.
-
interjection
adverb
idioms
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come to no good, to end in failure or as a failure.
Her jealous relatives said that she would come to no good.
-
for good, finally and permanently; forever: Also for good and all.
to leave the country for good.
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good and, very; completely; exceedingly.
This soup is good and hot.
-
good full, (of a sail or sails) well filled, especially when sailing close to the wind; clean full; rap full.
-
to the good,
-
generally advantageous.
That's all to the good, but what do I get out of it?
-
richer in profit or gain.
When he withdrew from the partnership, he was several thousand dollars to the good.
-
-
as good as. as.
-
no good, without value or merit; worthless; contemptible.
The check was no good.
-
make good,
-
to make recompense for; repay.
-
to implement an agreement; fulfill.
-
to be successful.
-
to substantiate; verify.
-
to carry out; accomplish; execute.
The convicts made good their getaway.
-
-
good for,
-
certain to repay (money owed) because of integrity, financial stability, etc.
-
the equivalent in value of.
Two thousand stamps are good for one coffeepot.
-
able to survive or continue functioning for (the length of time or the distance indicated).
These tires are good for another 10,000 miles.
-
valid or in effect for (the length of time indicated).
a license good for one year.
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(used as an expression of approval).
Good for you!
-
adjective
-
having admirable, pleasing, superior, or positive qualities; not negative, bad or mediocre
a good idea
a good teacher
-
-
morally excellent or admirable; virtuous; righteous
a good man
-
( as collective noun; preceded by the )
the good
-
-
suitable or efficient for a purpose
a good secretary
a good winter coat
-
beneficial or advantageous
vegetables are good for you
-
not ruined or decayed; sound or whole
the meat is still good
-
kindly, generous, or approving
you are good to him
-
right or acceptable
your qualifications are good for the job
-
rich and fertile
good land
-
valid or genuine
I would not do this without good reason
-
honourable or held in high esteem
a good family
-
commercially or financially secure, sound, or safe
good securities
a good investment
-
(of a draft) drawn for a stated sum
-
(of debts) expected to be fully paid
-
clever, competent, or talented
he's good at science
-
obedient or well-behaved
a good dog
-
reliable, safe, or recommended
a good make of clothes
-
affording material pleasure or indulgence
the good things in life
the good life
-
having a well-proportioned, beautiful, or generally fine appearance
a good figure
a good complexion
-
complete; full
I took a good look round the house
-
propitious; opportune
a good time to ask the manager for a rise
-
satisfying or gratifying
a good rest
-
comfortable
did you have a good night?
-
newest or of the best quality
to keep the good plates for important guests
-
fairly large, extensive, or long
a good distance away
-
sufficient; ample
we have a good supply of food
-
(of meat) of the third government grade, above standard and below choice
-
serious or intellectual
good music
-
used in a traditional description
the good ship ``America''
-
used in polite or patronizing phrases or to express anger (often intended ironically)
how is your good lady?
look here, my good man!
-
-
an unbelievable assertion
-
a very funny joke
-
-
virtually; practically
it's as good as finished
-
excellent; very good indeed
-
would you please
-
to recover and perform well after a bad start or setback
-
informal (intensifier)
good and mad
-
(intensifier; used in mild oaths)
good grief!
good heavens!
interjection
noun
-
moral or material advantage or use; benefit or profit
for the good of our workers
what is the good of worrying?
-
positive moral qualities; goodness; virtue; righteousness; piety
-
(sometimes capital) moral qualities seen as a single abstract entity
we must pursue the Good
-
a good thing
-
economics a commodity or service that satisfies a human need
-
forever; permanently
I have left them for good
-
-
to recompense or repair damage or injury
-
to be successful
-
to demonstrate or prove the truth of (a statement or accusation)
-
to secure and retain (a position)
-
to effect or fulfil (something intended or promised)
-
-
well done, well said, etc: a term of congratulation
-
-
to handle to good effect
I never got any good of this machine
-
to understand properly
I could never get any good of him
-
to receive cooperation from
-
Usage
Good is common as an adverb in informal speech, especially after forms of do: He did good on the test. She sees good with her new glasses. This use does not occur in formal speech or edited writing, where the adverb well is used instead: He did well on the test. She sees well with her new glasses. The adjective good is standard after linking verbs like taste, smell, look, feel, be, and seem: Everything tastes good. The biscuits smell good. You're looking good today. When used after look or feel, good may refer to spirits as well as health: I'm feeling pretty good this morning, ready to take on the world. Well is both an adjective and an adverb. As an adjective used after look, feel, or other linking verbs, it often refers to good health: You're looking well; we missed you while you were in the hospital. See also bad .
Synonym Usage
See property .
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of good
First recorded before 900; Middle English good, god; Old English gōd; cognate with Dutch goed, German gut, Old Norse gōthr, Gothic goths
Explanation
We all know what good means as an adjective––pleasing, favorable, nice. But did you know that good is also a noun, meaning something that can be sold? This means a shopkeeper’s ideal is to have really good goods. Good comes from an old German root for gathering, and in its original sense it means that something fits well. If something is good for you, it fits you well, or is healthy for you to eat. A long walk through a crowded city is good for someone who likes people-watching, but if you are a misanthrope and you hate people, that wouldn't be so good. If food has spoiled, it’s no longer good.
Vocabulary lists containing good
Economics
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One Idea, Part 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The good news is, per Gifford, that there are less generalized models out there that are tailored to much more exacting needs.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
When asked by BBC Sport if he had doubts about LIV's existence beyond this week's event in Indianapolis, O'Neil said the "facts are good" and finished his answer by saying "I wouldn't bet against us".
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
“This doesn’t mean avoiding the grief—he will be lonely at times—but it is good to do things that keep you from wallowing in it. He clearly loves to travel, so I’d highly recommend it.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Pete Bloom, a raptor biologist who helped band the newcomer, says there’s a very good chance the bald eagles will make a go at starting a family in a few months.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
“Just another day in good old Davey,” I reply with disdain.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
But consumers were still wary of buying things like clothing and home goods, and management said the latter category was at the start of “a multiyear journey” to get back on track.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
Consumers also bought more at clothing, accessories, shoe, luggage and leather goods stores in June.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
CEO Michael Fiddelke said that clothing and home goods were the categories most in need of fixing at Target.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
With many Americans already feeling pinched after postpandemic inflation drove up the prices of goods and services, that could be a recipe for even greater economic malaise.
From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026
The lady flashes a smile like she’s selling knockoff goods and knows it.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
Another said "it will get worse before it gets better".
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
Patrick: I’d say yes, but Braden Peters, the prominent looksmaxxer better known as Clavicular, told me “these words are just so good that I think it’ll kind of transcend that.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
"Our findings could help geologists reinterpret other ancient continental interiors where similarly large gaps occur in records, offering a better understanding of how Earth's continents have changed over hundreds of millions of years."
From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026
In London trading Friday morning, Samsung’s global depositary receipts were trading 0.58% higher at $4850 while SK Hynix ADRs were indicating 2.5% better at $167.11 in premarket U.S. trading.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
“My father’s a better man than you,” I shout.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Yes, conditions suited and Pakistan's batting was sub-standard, but Robinson's 5-51 in the first innings was him at his very best.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
The prospect of a weakening dollar is pushing bitcoin higher, as investors start to see the cryptocurrency as one of the best dollar hedge, Sigel added.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Prof Gernon said powerful erosion across this enormous region eventually uncovered some of the oldest rocks in North America, with the Grand Canyon providing the best known example.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026
They agreed, and in 1997, Max won best of breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
The Duke read the sign, too, and with open arms went to embrace Don Quixote, "the best knight of all times."
From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
