Jump To:

• do-good
  do-good

  adjective

  of or befitting a do-gooder.
• do good
  do good

  Act in an upright, moral way; engage in philanthropy. For example, Social workers are trained to help people to help themselves, not simply going around doing good. This term was first recorded in a.d. 725. Also see do any good; do one good.

do-good

American  

[doo-good] / ˈduˌgʊd /

adjective

1. of or befitting a do-gooder.

---

do good Idioms  

1. Act in an upright, moral way; engage in philanthropy. For example, Social workers are trained to help people to help themselves, not simply going around doing good. This term was first recorded in a.d. 725. Also see do any good; do one good.

---

Etymology

Origin of do-good

First recorded in 1965–70; back formation from do-gooder

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

do-good do good

“I mean, I’m a straight-up guy. I’m a do-good in Mayberry RFD.”

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 14, 2023

The honorees include Alison Bechdel, the cartoonist behind the 2006 memoir “Fun Home,” and Mike Mignola, the creator of the Hellboy comic book, about a do-good demon.

From New York Times ● Sep. 25, 2019

The pair, authorities contend, managed to parlay a do-good incentive to encourage solar investments into an $800-million fraud.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2019

All do-good groups should enforce the zero-tolerance sexual harassment policies most have on their books, and ensure these rules apply equally to their unpaid interns, board members and volunteers, as well as to paid staff.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 14, 2018

Or maybe, she’ll move in with some do-good neighbor.

From "Mississippi Trial, 1955" by Chris Crowe

There is an old line that you can do well or do good with your investments, but not both.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026

"It's crucial that when people raise money to do good things, they have confidence that that is what will happen," said Oliver.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Harington: He’s one of the few characters who is actually trying to do good.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026

There are good jobs in the emergency management world at the state level where you can do good work and wield a lot of power.

From Slate ● May 21, 2026

“Emma never thinks of herself, if she can do good to others,” rejoined Mr. Woodhouse, understanding but in part.

From "Emma" by Jane Austen