Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having desirable or positive qualities: "Good" describes something that is satisfactory, beneficial, or of a high standard.
   • Morally right or virtuous: "Good" can refer to a person's character, indicating kindness, honesty, or ethical behavior.
   • Suitable, appropriate, or effective: "Good" means something is fit for a purpose, functions well, or is valid.
   • Thorough or considerable: "Good" can indicate a significant amount, degree, or extent.
   • In good condition; sound: "Good" describes something that is not spoiled, damaged, or forged.

2. Noun:

   • That which is morally right; benefit or advantage: "Good" refers to positive moral qualities or something that is beneficial.
   • Commodities, merchandise, or possessions: "Good" (often plural: goods) refers to tangible items that are produced or traded.

3. Adverb (informal, non-standard):

   • Well, thoroughly: In informal contexts, "good" is sometimes used to mean thoroughly or completely, though "well" is the standard adverb form.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • She is a good friend who always listens. (Describing positive personal quality)
  • This is a good knife for slicing bread. (Describing suitability)
  • The milk is still good; it hasn't expired. (Describing condition)
  • He had a good reason for being late. (Describing validity)
  • We walked a good distance before resting. (Describing considerable amount)

• Noun:

  • Parents try to teach their children the difference between good and evil. (Referring to moral rightness)
  • The new policy is for the common good. (Referring to benefit or advantage)
  • The store sells a variety of goods, from furniture to electronics. (Referring to merchandise)

• Adverb (informal):

  • The team played really good last night. (Informal for "well")

Advanced Usage

• "As good as": nearly, practically, virtually.

  • The deal is as good as done. (The deal is practically finalized.)

• "For good": permanently, forever.

  • After the argument, he left the city for good. (He left the city permanently.)

• "Good and..." (used before an adjective for emphasis): very, completely.

  • I won't leave until I'm good and ready. (I won't leave until I am completely ready.)

• "Make good": to succeed, to fulfill a promise or obligation, or to repair or compensate for something.

  • He promised to make good on the debt. (He promised to repay the debt.)
  • She made good in her new career. (She succeeded in her new career.)

Variants and Related Words

• Goodness (noun): The quality of being good, especially in moral character.

  • I believe in the essential goodness of people.

• Goods (plural noun): Items for sale; merchandise; personal property.

  • The goods were delivered this morning.

• Goodly (adjective, archaic/literary): Considerable in size, quantity, or extent.

  • A goodly number of guests attended.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Excellent, fine, satisfactory, virtuous, kind, beneficial, valid, sound.
• Noun: Benefit, welfare, advantage, virtue, merchandise, commodities.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Bad, poor, evil, unsatisfactory.
• Noun: Evil, harm, disadvantage.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs/Idioms)

• Do good: To act in a way that benefits others; to be philanthropic.

  • The organization aims to do good in the community.

• For the good of: For the benefit or advantage of.

  • He made the sacrifice for the good of his family.

• Good for you/him/her/them!: An expression of praise or approval for someone's success or good fortune.

  • You passed the exam? Good for you!

• In good time: Sufficiently early; before a deadline.

  • Don't worry, we will arrive in good time for the show.

• Stand good: To remain valid or in effect.

  • The offer stands good until the end of the month.

• Too good to be true: So favorable that it seems unlikely to be real.

  • The job offer was too good to be true, and it was.

Adjective

1. generally admired
   • good taste
2. not left to spoil
   • the meat is still good
3. not forged
   • a good dollar bill
4. tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
   • beneficial effects of a balanced diet
   • a good night's sleep
   • the salutary influence of pure air
5. in excellent physical condition
   • good teeth
   • I still have one good leg
   • a sound mind in a sound body
6. appealing to the mind
   • good music
   • a serious book
7. capable of pleasing
   • good looks
8. exerting force or influence
   • the law is effective immediately
   • a warranty good for two years
   • the law is already in effect (or in force)
9. resulting favorably
   • it's a good thing that I wasn't there
   • it is good that you stayed
   • it is well that no one saw you
   • all's well that ends well
10. most suitable or right for a particular purpose
    • a good time to plant tomatoes
    • the right time to act
    • the time is ripe for great sociological changes
11. financially sound
    • a good investment
    • a secure investment
12. with or in a close or intimate relationship
    • a good friend
    • my sisters and brothers are near and dear
13. thorough
    • had a good workout
    • gave the house a good cleaning
14. having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
    • adept in handicrafts
    • an adept juggler
    • an expert job
    • a good mechanic
    • a practiced marksman
    • a proficient engineer
    • a lesser-known but no less skillful composer
    • the effect was achieved by skillful retouching
15. of moral excellence
    • a genuinely good person
    • a just cause
    • an upright and respectable man
16. agreeable or pleasing
    • we all had a good time
    • good manners
17. promoting or enhancing well-being
    • an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries
    • the beneficial effects of a temperate climate
    • the experience was good for her
18. deserving of esteem and respect
    • all respectable companies give guarantees
    • ruined the family's good name
19. morally admirable
20. having the normally expected amount
    • gives full measure
    • gives good measure
    • a good mile from here
21. having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
    • good news from the hospital
    • a good report card
    • when she was good she was very very good
    • a good knife is one good for cutting
    • this stump will make a good picnic table
    • a good check
    • a good joke
    • a good exterior paint
    • a good secretary
    • a good dress for the office

Noun

1. articles of commerce
2. that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
   • weigh the good against the bad
   • among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization
3. moral excellence or admirableness
   • there is much good to be found in people
4. benefit
   • for your own good
   • what's the good of worrying?

Adverb

1. completely and absolutely (`good' is sometimes used informally for `thoroughly')
   • he was soundly defeated
   • we beat him good
2. (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well')
   • the children behaved well
   • a task well done
   • the party went well
   • he slept well
   • a well-argued thesis
   • a well-seasoned dish
   • a well-planned party
   • the baby can walk pretty good