good
adjective/ɡʊd/
/ɡʊd/
(comparative better
Idioms /ˈbetə(r)/
/ˈbetər/
, superlative best /best/
/best/
)- of high quality or an acceptable standard
- a good book
- good food
- The piano was in really good condition.
- Your work is just not good enough.
- The results were pretty good.
- Sorry, my English is not very good.
- They've done a reasonably good job.
- Keep up the good work!
- It's a good way to make friends.
- The sound and picture are both of good quality.
- Things are looking good at the moment.
- You'll never marry her—she's much too good for you.
Extra Examples- This essay really is very good.
- The food was surprisingly good.
- I think that make of car's pretty good.
- Her school report was much better this year.
- He doesn't seem to have a very good diet.
- a really good film
- Citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C.
- Why ruin a perfectly good story?
- You've done a pretty good job.
- Get yourself a haircut and a good suit before the interview.
- She gives a good performance as the innocent young woman.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- dead
- extremely
- really
- …
- at
- for
- to
- …
- pleasant; that you enjoy or want
- Did you have a good time in London?
- This is very good news.
- Let's hope we have good weather tomorrow.
- it is good to do something It's good to see you again.
- There are loads of good things about working here.
- We are still friends, though, which is good.
Extra ExamplesTopics Weathera1- It'd be a good place to go on holiday, but not to live in.
- It would be good if he moved to London.
- In good weather, they sometimes went riding.
- If the weather's good, we can take a picnic.
- ‘What was the weather like on your holiday?’ ‘Good.’
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- dead
- extremely
- really
- …
- at
- for
- to
- …
- sensible, logical or strongly supporting what is being discussed
- Thank you, good question.
- Yes, that's a good point.
- I have good reason to be suspicious.
- What a good idea!
- This is a good example of what I mean.
Extra Examples- You raised several good points in your letter.
- You'll have to think of a better excuse than that!
- That's a really good idea.
- My father once gave me some good advice.
- ‘But where are we going to stay?’ ‘That's a very good question.’
- ‘They won't be able to find the way without a map.’ ‘ Good point.’
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- dead
- extremely
- really
- …
- at
- for
- to
- …
- showing or getting approval or respect
- The play had good reviews.
- The hotel has a good reputation.
- He comes from a good family.
Vocabulary Building Good and very goodGood and very goodInstead of saying that something is good or very good, try to use more precise and interesting adjectives to describe things:- delicious/tasty food
- an exciting/entertaining/thrilling movie
- an absorbing/a fascinating/an informative book
- a pleasant/an enjoyable trip
- a skilful/talented/fine player
- impressive/fine/superb acting
- useful/helpful advice
Extra Examples- Initial reactions to the proposal have been good so far.
- We got a pretty good response from our viewers about the programme.
- The school has an extremely good reputation.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- dead
- extremely
- really
- …
- at
- for
- to
- …
- able to do something well
- a good player
- a good actor/cook
- good at something to be good at languages/your job
- good at doing something Nick has always been good at finding cheap flights.
Extra Examples- She's a really good actor.
- I'm not really a very good cook.
- She's getting quite good at reading now.
- Are you any good at languages?
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- dead
- extremely
- really
- …
- at
- for
- to
- …
- good with something/somebody able to use something or deal with people well
- She's good with her hands (= able to make things, etc.).
- He's very good with children.
- She's good with figures.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- dead
- extremely
- really
- …
- at
- for
- to
- …
- morally right; behaving in a way that is morally right
- She has tried to lead a good life.
- I took Sarah's children to school so I've done my good deed for the day.
- Giving her that money was a good thing to do.
- He is a very good man.
- She prayed that God would make her a better person.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- dead
- extremely
- really
- …
- at
- for
- to
- …
- following strictly a set of rules or principles
- It is good practice to supply a written report to the buyer.
- She was a good Catholic girl.
- willing to help; kind to other people
- You've always been such a good friend.
- good to somebody He was very good to me when I was ill.
- good of somebody She looked into it for me, which was very good of her.
- good of somebody to do something It was very good of you to come.
- good about something I had to take a week off work but my colleagues were very good about it.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- dead
- extremely
- really
- …
- at
- for
- to
- …
- behaving well or politely
- You can stay up late if you're good.
- Get dressed now, there's a good girl.
- ‘That's a good dog,’ I said, patting its head.
Extra Examples- I want you all to be good while I'm out of the room.
- She's usually quite good in class.
- healthy or strong
- Can you speak into my good ear?
- I don't feel too good today.
- ‘How are you?’ ‘I'm good.’ (= used as a general reply to a greeting)
- having a useful or helpful effect on somebody/something
- Living so close to a chemicals factory can't be good.
- good for somebody/something Too much sun isn't good for you.
- Vegetables are good for you.
- policies that are good for business
- The deal will be good for the country as a whole.
- it is good for somebody/something to do something It's probably good for you to get some criticism now and then.
- (informal) Shut your mouth, if you know what's good for you (= used as a threat).
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- dead
- extremely
- really
- …
- at
- for
- to
- …
- suitable or appropriate
- Now is a good time to buy a house.
- Do you really think this is a good use of your time?
- Students are not allowed to miss classes without good reason.
- good for something/to do something She would be good for the job.
- good for somebody Can we change our meeting? Monday isn't good (= convenient) for me.
- This is as good a place as any to spend the night.
- used in speaking to show that you approve of or are pleased about something that has been said or done, or to show that you want to move on to a new topic of conversation
- ‘Dinner's ready.’ ‘Good—I'm starving.’
- ‘I got the job.’ ‘Oh, good.’
- Good, I think we've come to a decision.
- [only before noun] (informal) used as a form of praise
- Good old Jack!
- ‘I've ordered some drinks.’ ‘Good man!’
- (informal) used in exclamations
- Good heavens!
- Good God!
- [only before noun] great in number, amount or degree
- a good number of people
- The kitchen is a good size.
- We spent a good while (= quite a long time) looking for the house.
- He devoted a good deal of (= a lot of) attention to the problem.
- There's a good chance (= it is likely) that I won't be here next year.
- not less than; rather more than
- We waited for a good hour.
- It's a good three miles to the station.
- [only before noun] done to a high level or a great degree; complete
- We had a good laugh about it afterwards.
- You'll feel better after a good sleep.
- [usually before noun] funny or clever
- a good story/joke
- (informal) That's a good one!
- good for something having enough energy, health, strength, etc. to last for a particular length of time or distance
- You're good for (= you will live) a few years yet.
- good for something acceptable for something
- The ticket is good for three months.
- good for something likely to provide something
- He's always good for a laugh.
- Bobby should be good for a few drinks.
high quality
pleasant
sensible/strong
favourable
skilful
morally right
following rules
kind
child/animal
healthy
useful/helpful
suitable
showing approval
in exclamations
large
at least
complete
amusing
for particular time/distance
likely to provide
Word OriginOld English gōd, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch goed and German gut.
Idioms Most idioms containing good are at the entries for the nouns and verbs in the idioms, for example (as) good as gold is at gold.
See good in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee good in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishas good as
- very nearly
- The matter is as good as settled.
- He as good as called me a coward (= suggested that I was a coward without actually using the word ‘coward’).
- She’s as good as won.
as good as it gets
- used when you are saying that a situation is not going to get any better
be good to go
- (of a thing) to be prepared and ready for use; (of a person) to be prepared and ready to do something
- By tomorrow afternoon the document will be good to go.
- I’ve spent several months training for this race so now I’m good to go.
good and…
- (informal) completely
- I won't go until I'm good and ready.
a good few
(also quite a few)
- several
- There are still a good few empty seats.
good for you, somebody, them, etc.
(especially Australian English good on you, etc.)
- (informal) used to praise somebody for doing something well
- ‘I passed first time.’ ‘Good for you!’
a good many
- a lot of somebody/something
- There were a good many people there.
Check pronunciation:
good