good for
Idioms-
Beneficial to, as in Milk is good for children . [Tenth century a.d. ]
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Financially reliable, able to pay or repay, as in They know he's good for a big tip . [Mid-1800s]
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Able to serve or continue to function, as in This furniture's good for at least ten more years , or I hope you're not tired—I'm good for another three miles or so . [Mid-1800s]
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Equivalent in value; also, valid for. For example, These coupons are good for a 20 percent discount , or This contract is good for the entire life of the book . [Second half of 1800s]
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good for someone . An expression of approval, as in Good for Bill—he's sold the car , or Good for you! You passed the exam . This usage differs from the others in that orally a slight emphasis is placed on you or whoever is being mentioned. [Mid-1800s]
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.
Perhaps, like Jeff Buckley before him, Thompson is simply too good for us.
From Salon • May 15, 2026
What’s good for oil or gold in one economy could be bad for either asset class in another.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
A durable training shoe good for speed training and longer distances.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
A few years later “it didn’t look so good for him,” said Reinhart, who served as one of Greenspan’s top staffers at the Fed.
From MarketWatch • May 10, 2026
“What are they good for, if not helping the people? We’re the people! Anya is the people!”
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
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.
