- [uncountable] behaviour that is morally right or acceptable
- Do they even know the difference between good and evil?
- Is religion always a force for good?
Which Word? good / goodnessgood / goodness- The noun good means actions and behaviour that are morally right. You can talk about a person doing good:
- The charity does a lot of good.
- He wanted to use his power and influence for good.
- Goodness is the quality of being good. You can talk about a person’s goodness:
- Her goodness shone through.
Extra Examples- In disadvantaged areas, schools can be a force for good.
- the struggle between good and evil
- Schools can definitely be seen as a force for good in this area.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- common
- do (somebody)
- for somebody/something’s good
- a force for good
- for somebody’s (own) good
- for the good of something
- …
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- the good[plural] people who live a moral life; people who are admired for the work they do to help other people
- a gathering of the great and the good
- [uncountable] something that helps somebody/something
- for the good of somebody/something Cuts have been made for the good of the company.
- I'm only telling you this for your own good.
- The results of the research should be used for the common good (= the advantage of everyone).
- policy decisions that serve the public good
- What's the good of (= how does it help you) earning all that money if you don't have time to enjoy it?
- What good is it redecorating if you're thinking of moving?
Extra Examples- I know you don't want to go into hospital, but it's for your own good.
- When the his health problems continued, he resigned for the good of the party.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- common
- do (somebody)
- for somebody/something’s good
- a force for good
- for somebody’s (own) good
- for the good of something
- …
morally right
something helpful
Word OriginOld English gōd, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch goed and German gut.
Idioms
See good in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee good in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishall to the good
- used to say that if something happens, it will be good, even if it is not exactly what you were expecting
- If these measures also reduce unemployment, that is all to the good.
be no good (doing something/to somebody) | not be any/much good
- to not be useful; to have no useful effect
- This gadget isn't much good.
- It's no good complaining—they never listen.
- It's no good trying to talk me out of leaving.
- This book is no good to me: I need the new edition.
- Was his advice ever any good?
- to not be interesting or fun
- His latest film isn't much good.
do good
- to do things that are morally good, especially by helping others
- It's nice to get recognition for doing good in the community.
- Look for an opportunity to do good whenever you can.
- (also do somebody good)to have a useful effect; to help somebody
- Do you think these latest changes will do any good?
- Don't you think talking to her would do some good?
- It will do you good to get out of the house more often.
Extra Examples- You can try talking to her, but I don't think it will do much good.
- What good would it do to tell her about it after all this time?
do somebody a power of good
- (old-fashioned, informal) to be very good for somebody’s physical or mental health
- A break would do us all a power of good.
do somebody/something the world of good
- to make somebody feel much better; to improve something
- A change of job would do you the world of good.
for good
(British English also for good and all)
- permanently
- This time she's leaving for good (= she will never return).
- I'd like an excuse to get rid of him for good and all.
the great and the good (often ironic)
- people who are very successful, admired and respected
- Universities around the world award honorary degrees to the great and the good.
it’s an ill wind (that blows nobody any good)
- (saying) no problem is so bad that it does not bring some advantage to somebody
to the good
- used to say that somebody now has a particular amount of money that they did not have before
- We are £500 to the good.
up to no good
- (informal) doing something wrong or dishonest
- Those kids are always up to no good.
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good