good

[ good ]

adjective

, bet·ter, best.

1. morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious:

   a good man.

   Synonyms: upright, exemplary, worthy, meritorious, conscientious, moral, pure

2. satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree:

   a good teacher;

   good health.

   Synonyms: admirable, outstanding, adequate

3. of high quality; excellent.
4. right; proper; fit:

   It is good that you are here.

   His credentials are good.

5. well-behaved:

   a good child.

   Synonyms: heedful, obedient

6. kind, beneficent, or friendly:

   to do a good deed.

   Synonyms: obliging, gracious, humane, benevolent, kindly

7. honorable or worthy; in good standing:

   a good name.

8. educated and refined:

   She has a good background.

9. financially sound or safe:

   His credit is good.

10. genuine; not counterfeit:

    a good quarter.

11. sound or valid:

    good judgment;

    good reasons.

12. reliable; dependable; responsible:

    good advice.

13. healthful; beneficial:

    Fresh fruit is good for you.

14. in excellent condition; healthy:

    good teeth.

15. not spoiled or tainted; edible; palatable:

    The meat was still good after three months in the freezer.

16. favorable; propitious:

    good news.

17. cheerful; optimistic; amiable:

    in good spirits.

18. free of distress or pain; comfortable:

    to feel good after surgery.

19. agreeable; pleasant:

    Have a good time.

20. attractive; handsome:

    She has a good figure.

21. (of the complexion) smooth; free from blemish.
22. close or intimate; warm:

    She's a good friend of mine.

23. sufficient or ample:

    a good supply.

    Synonyms: adequate, goodly

24. advantageous; satisfactory for the purpose:

    a good day for fishing.

    Synonyms: profitable, beneficial, serviceable, useful

25. competent or skillful; clever:

    a good manager;

    good at arithmetic.

    Synonyms: apt, adroit, expert, dexterous, suitable, suited, ready, able, capable, proficient, efficient

26. skillfully or expertly done:

    a really good job;

    a good play.

27. conforming to rules of grammar, usage, etc.; correct:

    good English.

28. socially proper:

    good manners.

29. remaining available to one:

    Don't throw good money after bad.

30. comparatively new or of relatively fine quality:

    Don't play in the mud in your good clothes.

31. finest or most dressy:

    He wore his good suit to the office today.

32. full:

    a good day's journey away.

33. fairly large or great:

    a good amount.

34. free from precipitation or cloudiness:

    good weather.

35. Medicine/Medical. (of a patient's condition) having stable and normal vital signs, being conscious and comfortable, and having excellent appetite, mobility, etc.
36. fertile; rich:

    good soil.

37. loyal:

    a good political party member.

38. (of a return or service in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) landing within the limits of a court or section of a court.
39. Informal. (used when declining an offer or suggestion, as to communicate that one is already satisfied):

    "More coffee?" "No thanks, I’m good!"

40. 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.

41. (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.”
42. favorably regarded (used as an epithet for a ship, town, etc.):

    the good ship Syrena.

noun

1. profit or advantage; worth; benefit:

   What good will that do?

   We shall work for the common good.

2. excellence or merit; kindness:

   to do good.

3. moral righteousness; virtue:

   to be a power for good.

4. (especially in the grading of U.S. beef) an official grade below that of “choice.”
5. goods,
   1. possessions, especially movable effects or personal property.
   2. articles of trade; wares; merchandise:

      canned goods.

   3. Informal. what has been promised or is expected:

      to deliver the goods.

   4. Informal. items that are authentic rather than imitation; the genuine article:

      If you want real pearls, we have the goods.

   5. Informal. evidence of guilt, as stolen articles:

      to catch someone with the goods.

   6. cloth or textile material:

      top-quality linen goods.

   7. Chiefly British. merchandise sent by land, rather than by water or air.
6. the good,
   1. the ideal of goodness none or morality.
   2. good things or persons collectively.

interjection

1. (used as an expression of approval or satisfaction):

   Good! Now we can all go home.

adverb

1. Informal. well ¹( defs 1, 2, 3, 8 ):

   I wish I could cook this good!

   Yes, we knew him pretty good.

good

/ ɡʊd /

adjective

1. having admirable, pleasing, superior, or positive qualities; not negative, bad or mediocre

   a good teacher

   a good idea

2. 1. morally excellent or admirable; virtuous; righteous

      a good man

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the good

3. suitable or efficient for a purpose

   a good winter coat

   a good secretary

4. beneficial or advantageous

   vegetables are good for you

5. not ruined or decayed; sound or whole

   the meat is still good

6. kindly, generous, or approving

   you are good to him

7. right or acceptable

   your qualifications are good for the job

8. rich and fertile

   good land

9. valid or genuine

   I would not do this without good reason

10. honourable or held in high esteem

    a good family

11. commercially or financially secure, sound, or safe

    good securities

    a good investment

12. (of a draft) drawn for a stated sum
13. (of debts) expected to be fully paid
14. clever, competent, or talented

    he's good at science

15. obedient or well-behaved

    a good dog

16. reliable, safe, or recommended

    a good make of clothes

17. affording material pleasure or indulgence

    the good life

    the good things in life

18. having a well-proportioned, beautiful, or generally fine appearance

    a good complexion

    a good figure

19. complete; full

    I took a good look round the house

20. propitious; opportune

    a good time to ask the manager for a rise

21. satisfying or gratifying

    a good rest

22. comfortable

    did you have a good night?

23. newest or of the best quality

    to keep the good plates for important guests

24. fairly large, extensive, or long

    a good distance away

25. sufficient; ample

    we have a good supply of food

26. (of meat) of the third government grade, above standard and below choice
27. serious or intellectual

    good music

28. used in a traditional description

    the good ship ``America''

29. used in polite or patronizing phrases or to express anger (often intended ironically)

    how is your good lady?

    look here, my good man!

30. a good one
    1. an unbelievable assertion
    2. a very funny joke
31. as good as
    virtually; practically

    it's as good as finished

32. as good as gold
    excellent; very good indeed
33. be as good as to or be so good as to
    would you please
34. come good
    to recover and perform well after a bad start or setback
35. good and informal.
    (intensifier)

    good and mad

36. (intensifier; used in mild oaths)

    good grief!

    good heavens!

interjection

1. an exclamation of approval, agreement, pleasure, etc

noun

1. moral or material advantage or use; benefit or profit

   for the good of our workers

   what is the good of worrying?

2. positive moral qualities; goodness; virtue; righteousness; piety
3. sometimes capital moral qualities seen as a single abstract entity

   we must pursue the Good

4. a good thing
5. economics a commodity or service that satisfies a human need
6. for good or for good and all
   forever; permanently

   I have left them for good

7. make good
   1. to recompense or repair damage or injury
   2. to be successful
   3. to demonstrate or prove the truth of (a statement or accusation)
   4. to secure and retain (a position)
   5. to effect or fulfil (something intended or promised)
8. good on you or good for you
   well done, well said, etc: a term of congratulation
9. get any good of or get some good of
   1. to handle to good effect

      I never got any good of this machine

   2. to understand properly

      I could never get any good of him

   3. to receive cooperation from

Usage Note

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. bad none.

Derived Forms

• ˈgoodish, adjective

Other Words From

• qua·si-good adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of good¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English good, god; Old English gōd; cognate with Dutch goed, German gut, Old Norse gōthr, Gothic goths

Word History and Origins

Origin of good¹

Old English gōd; related to Old Norse gōthr, Old High German guot good

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. come to no good, to end in failure or as a failure:

   Her jealous relatives said that she would come to no good.

2. for good, finally and permanently; forever: Also for good and all.

   to leave the country for good.

3. good and, Informal. very; completely; exceedingly:

   This soup is good and hot.

4. good for,
   1. certain to repay (money owed) because of integrity, financial stability, etc.
   2. the equivalent in value of:

      Two thousand stamps are good for one coffeepot.

   3. able to survive or continue functioning for (the length of time or the distance indicated):

      These tires are good for another 10,000 miles.

   4. valid or in effect for (the length of time indicated):

      a license good for one year.

   5. (used as an expression of approval):

      Good for you!

5. good full, Nautical. (of a sail or sails) well filled, especially when sailing close to the wind; clean full; rap full.
6. make good,
   1. to make recompense for; repay.
   2. to implement an agreement; fulfill.
   3. to be successful.
   4. to substantiate; verify.
   5. to carry out; accomplish; execute:

      The convicts made good their getaway.

7. no good, without value or merit; worthless; contemptible:

   The check was no good.

8. to the good,
   1. generally advantageous:

      That's all to the good, but what do I get out of it?

   2. richer in profit or gain:

      When he withdrew from the partnership, he was several thousand dollars to the good.

9. as good as. as ¹( def 20 ).

More idioms and phrases containing good

• bad (good) sort
• but good
• do any good
• do good
• do one good
• for good
• for good measure
• get on someone's good side
• get out while the getting is good
• give a good account of oneself
• give as good as one gets
• have a good command of
• have a good mind to
• have a good thing going
• have a good time
• hold good
• ill wind (that blows nobody any good)
• in all good conscience
• in bad (good) faith
• in (good) condition
• in due course (all in good time)
• in good
• in good hands
• in good part
• in good spirits
• in good time
• in good with
• in someone's good graces
• keep (good) time
• make good
• make good time
• make someone look good
• miss is as good as a mile
• never had it so good
• no good
• no news is good news
• not the only fish (other good fish) in the sea
• one good turn deserves another
• on good terms
• on one's best (good) behavior
• put in a good word
• put to good use
• show someone a good time
• show to (good) advantage
• so far so good
• stand in good stead
• take in good part
• throw good money after bad
• to good purpose
• too good to be true
• too much of a good thing
• to the good
• turn to (good account)
• up to no good
• well and good
• what's the good of
• with good grace
• world of good
• your guess is as good as mine
• goodness
• goods

Synonym Study

See property none.

Example Sentences

The researchers stress the importance of further studies, especially randomised controlled clinical trials, to better understand the mechanisms behind the findings.

From Science Daily

“If I drink really good tequila and I don’t do any sugar — no margaritas — I can get as drunk as I want, and I’ll have no hangover.”

From Los Angeles Times

After receiving rave reviews — and four Olivier Awards, including best musical — it transferred to Broadway for the 2024-25 season, becoming the first big show to reopen in the newly remodeled Palace Theatre.

From Los Angeles Times

These devices and services have excited consumers hoping for better insight into their health and lifestyle choices.

From Los Angeles Times

But much depends on how much profit margin they have, especially if high tariffs are implemented on all imported goods, not just ones from China.

From Salon

Related Words

• acceptable
• advantageous
• appropriate
• beneficial
• convenient
• decent
• desirable
• favorable
• fruitful
• healthy
• helpful
• profitable
• proper
• respectable
• satisfying
• suitable

Is Gooder A Word?

And is gooder in the dictionary?

Gooder is not listed as a word in this dictionary. It’s not commonly used as a comparative form of good, nor is it commonly used in any other way. However, gooder is occasionally used as a humorous, informal comparative form of good.

Good is an irregular adjective. The accepted comparative form is better and the accepted superlative form is best. 

Note: Just because a word doesn’t appear in the dictionary doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “not a word.” Some people may use it, and if enough people start using it regularly, it may be added to the dictionary.