Definition of Good (meaning 1 of 5 — adjective)
Quick Meaning of Good
Positive, of high quality, or satisfying expectations.
Detailed Definition of Good
Of high quality; satisfactory or acceptable.
How to Pronounce Good
Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).
Tip: The 'oo' sound is short /ʊ/, like in 'book', not long /uː/ like 'food'.
Watch out: Some learners pronounce it like 'goood' (long vowel) instead of the short /ʊ/ sound.
Other Meanings of Good
“Good” has 5 distinct meanings in English. You’re viewing meaning #1; here are the other 4:
#2 Good as an adjective
Behaving well, obeying rules, or showing moral virtue; not naughty or bad.
be good
#3 Good as an adjective
Able to do something well; having skills or talent in a particular area.
good at
#4 Good as an adjective
Acceptable to use; still effective or in force; not expired or invalid.
good for
#5 Good as a noun
Something that is beneficial or helps people; doing the right thing morally.
do good
Origin and Etymology of Good
Old English 'god'; Proto-Germanic root meaning 'fitting' or 'suitable'.
How to Use Good in a Sentence
Each example shows “good” in the meaning “Positive, of high quality, or satisfying expectations.”, with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“This is a good restaurant with excellent food.”
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“He got a good score on his test.”
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“We had a good time at the party.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Good
Common Synonyms for Good
Smart Synonyms for Good — When to Use Each
- excellent
- means exceptionally good, higher quality than regular good
- fine
- for something acceptable but not extraordinary in a
Antonyms of Good
Common Collocations with Good
These phrases pair with “good” in everyday English:
- good idea
- good morning
- good luck
- good job
- good question
Common Mistakes When Using Good
Even fluent speakers slip up with “good”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: He speaks good English.
- ✓ Correct: He speaks English well.
- Why: After an action verb like 'speaks', use the adverb 'well', not the adjective 'good'.
- ✗ Wrong: This is a very good day for swim.
- ✓ Correct: This is a very good day for swimming (or to swim).
- Why: After 'for', use a gerund (swimming) or infinitive (to swim), not the base verb.
Words Confused With Good
- Good vs Well: Well is the adverb form; 'This book is good' not 'good written' Compare →
Other Forms of Good
Frequently Asked Questions About Good
What is the meaning of "Good"?
Positive, of high quality, or satisfying expectations.
How do you pronounce "Good"?
The IPA is /ɡʊd/. The 'oo' sound is short /ʊ/, like in 'book', not long /uː/ like 'food'.
What part of speech is "Good"?
"Good" is an adjective at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Good"?
Common synonyms include excellent, fine, nice.
How do you use "Good" in a sentence?
For example: "This is a good restaurant with excellent food."