good
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
(of a return or service in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) landing within the limits of a court or section of a court.
-
Informal. (used when declining an offer or suggestion, as to communicate that one is already satisfied).
"More coffee?" "No thanks, I’m good!"
-
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.
-
(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
-
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.”
-
goods,
-
possessions, especially movable effects or personal property.
-
articles of trade; wares; merchandise.
canned goods.
-
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.
-
Informal. evidence of guilt, as stolen articles.
to catch someone with the goods.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
(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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
One Idea, Part 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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:
And it was not beyond her to borrow a good idea...
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
It is, of course, good news when people get richer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
“I am not clear ... how the review for the president being in good standing was conducted,” Weber said in an interview after Morales’ yearly assignment was announced.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
"If at the end of the day these products are approved, I see nothing good coming out of it," he said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
It’s not our usual breakfast, but no one at the table is complaining ’cause it’s so good.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
The day after she delivered her goods to the Elektrostal warehouse near Moscow last Friday, she learned that it had all gone up in flames.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Extreme heat in the kitchen, he said, is affecting the bakery’s ability to produce its goods.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Measure applies to goods including wine, though energy and parts of other sectors are exempt.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Washington announced a fresh 25-percent duty on certain Brazilian goods last week, and on Monday unveiled a 50-percent levy on many Canadian products to take effect in 30 days.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
A Japanese soldier stops her and studies the goods.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
They are also urging better government support for survivors undergoing treatment, as well as compensation for them and victims' families - which was recommended in the investigative committee report but yet to be implemented.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
This is driven by sustained volume growth thanks to newly-added Batam and Durban terminals, and higher yield from tariff adjustments and better container mix, the analyst says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Her statement talks about purpose, healing and a journey to “be better, improve and transform our spiritual selves.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
On ICYMI, host Kate Lindsay and Slate tech editor Tony Ho Tran break down the digital do’s and don’ts for couples, and argue that the thing that ruined dating might actually be making relationships better.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Next time it would be better, and the time after that.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Back in March, Kerr had announced a plan dubbed Project 222, an audacious promise to slice 2.22 seconds off his personal best and topple the record, held since 1999 by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
"Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world's best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States," he said in a statement.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
None of England's water companies did well in Hammond's analysis, with even the best having a potential illegality rate of over 70% for the last two years.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
“La La Land” didn’t bring home the best picture Oscar, but the musical filmed in Southern California is expected to bring the region another valuable prize: a bump in big-spending tourists.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
The thing that I love and hate about Rue’s grandmother is that she gives the best shade of any Black woman I’ve ever met.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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.
