goodish
/'gudiʃ/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Fairly good, moderately good: Of a quality that is acceptable or satisfactory, but not excellent.
- Fairly large, considerable: Of a size, amount, or degree that is notable or significant, though not extreme.
Usage
- As an adjective describing quality: Used to indicate something is reasonably good.
- As an adjective describing quantity/degree: Used to indicate something is fairly large or substantial.
Examples
- Describing quality:
- The restaurant reviews were mixed, but I found the steak to be goodish.
- He's a goodish painter, though not yet a master of the craft.
- Describing quantity/degree:
- We walked a goodish distance before we found a place to rest.
- She inherited a goodish sum of money from her aunt.
Advanced Usage
- "Goodish" is often used in informal or conversational English. It is less common in formal writing, where words like "moderately good," "fairly good," or "respectable" might be preferred.
- It can imply a sense of pleasant surprise that something is better than expected, though still not the best.
Variants and Related Words
- Goodly (adj): (Archaic or formal) Large in size or amount. (e.g., ).
- Fairish (adj): Moderately good or large. (Similar in usage but less common than "goodish").
Synonyms
- Describing quality: Fairly good, moderately good, decent, respectable, passable.
- Describing quantity: Considerable, sizable, substantial, fair, tidy.
Antonyms
- Describing quality: Poor, bad, terrible, excellent, superb.
- Describing quantity: Small, tiny, negligible, insignificant.
Notes on Meaning
- The two main meanings (moderately good and fairly large) are distinct. The intended meaning is usually clear from the context—whether it modifies a noun related to quality (e.g., ) or quantity/distance (e.g., ).
Adjective
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large in amount or extent or degree
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it cost a considerable amount
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a goodly amount
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received a hefty bonus
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a respectable sum
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a tidy sum of money
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a sizable fortune
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moderately good of its kind
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a goodish wine
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