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good

good

927 7.9
Used informally to mean completely or very much
  • adverb
  • /ɡʊd/
  • Informal
: bien
  • If you practice enough, you'll play that song good by the end of the week.

And that means that you can get it good, but it's not going to be fast.

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Examples

  • Yep, it's on there nice and good, and I can just pull on this so hard.

  • My father said, "Better leave the tee-vee alone tonight, Sugar."

    Fiction book (1990)
  • And that means that you can get it good, but it's not going to be fast.

  • Then when we did good, we did really good when we didn't do as good.

  • Better be good.

  • Better come in.

  • Better try it again.

  • Better get back to framing, which in truth was a job Deb loved.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Better pay him, Eddie.

  • "Better do that than be gnawing yourself," he said, looking critically at my bitten nails.

    Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

well
vsgood
∞ 1.0

In a good or skillful way

is an informal term used to mean complete or very high degree
very well
vsgood
∞ 1.0

In a fairly good way

is stronger, meaning completely or to a high standard
thoroughly
vsgood
246 3.5

To do something completely and carefully

can mean complete or high quality without the detailed focus
soundly
vsgood
25 2.7

In a very complete way, for example when someone sleeps deeply or loses badly

is more informal and highlights total or high degree rather than result
excellently
vsgood
6 2.8

In a very good way that shows a lot of skill

is more casual and can mean thorough rather than strictly excellent
good and proper
vsgood
  • Informal
2 6.2

Completely and in the right way

is the informal nonstandard form rather than the neutral phrase
a-okay
vsgood
  • Informal
2 7.8

In perfect condition and ready to use

is a casual form stressing total satisfaction rather than technical precision

Antonyms

243 1.4

In a bad or unsuccessful way

78 1.0

In a way that makes people think less of someone

Idioms

877 1.0

A way to say goodbye and wish someone a nice night before sleep

all good
  • Informal
251 5.4

Everything is fine with no problems or worries

249 2.8

Forever, not coming back to how things were before

247 1.0

Helps your health

210 2.0

Enough quality or ability to do what is needed

good for you
  • Informal
140 5.8

A short response to show you are happy for someone or that you do not really care

good to go
  • Informal
100 3.5

Ready to start or continue something

good God
  • Informal
86 8.2

An exclamation that shows strong surprise or shock

78 2.4

To a great degree

56 5.9

So good that you find it hard to believe

up to no good
  • Informal
29 7.4

Acting in a secret or suspicious way to do something wrong

24 3.2

Happen at the right time, neither too late nor too early

23 6.3

Wish someone a nice day or a good time as a friendly goodbye

23 3.3

Getting along well with someone

A small extra thing you add as a bonus

what's good
  • Informal
17 9.1

A casual greeting asking how someone is or what's new

To have a happy, full life and treat others well

odds are good
  • Informal
12 3.7

There is a good chance it will happen

Completely prepared and willing to begin

9 7.9

To speak confidently about what you can do without proving it

good egg
  • Informal
7 6.1

A person who is kind, honest and easy to trust

Something you say when you do not know the answer any more than the other person does

6 3.9

So pretty it looks like you could eat it

good gracious
  • Informal
5 6.7

A short cry people say when they are very surprised

Respond to an attack or criticism with equal force

Showing a polite, attractive style that most people approve of

To keep spending money on something that is already failing

good and proper
  • Informal
2 6.2

Completely and in the right way

To help someone later in life or work

at a good clip
  • Informal
1 6.0

Moving at a fairly fast speed

To succeed by helping others and acting fairly

Trying to be perfect can stop good work from getting done

To have a lot of fun during an event or time

for good and all
  • Informal
1 5.3

Forever, with no return or change

1 8.6

Having a very strong taste that makes you want to eat every last bit

1 7.5

People in society who are important, respected, and have power

1 5.0

To handle a situation well by using what you have

To respond equally strongly when someone attacks or criticizes you

To be useful to someone in the future

1 9.9

When people use bad money, they keep better money and it disappears

in good odor
  • Archaic
1 9.7

A person or group that people respect and trust

1 9.9

A phrase people say when they finish a job that goes well

A small gesture, like a nod or smile, that shows agreement and tells someone to act

1 6.8

At a time you choose without being hurried by others

So good that it should not be thrown away

To do well in front of others in a difficult situation

A person who thinks carefully and makes sensible choices

An unclear thing that does not help you understand or decide

Compounds

∞ 1.0

A fortunate event that happens by chance

∞ 1.0

Information that makes you feel happy or hopeful

∞ 1.0

A polite greeting people say when they meet in the morning

886 1.0

A time when people have fun

675 1.9

Not perfect but good for what you need

653 1.0

Words or actions people use when they leave

no-good
  • Informal
548 5.6

Bad or worthless and often causing trouble

good guy
  • Informal
390 1.8

A person who helps others and usually does the right thing

338 1.0

A polite greeting or farewell used in the evening

307 1.2

Having a nice face or body that people find attractive

good boy
  • Baby Talk
259 1.0

A child or dog who behaves well and gets praise

255 1.7

An attractive face and appearance people notice

248 3.2

A life with comfort, happiness, and enough money to enjoy it

good day
  • Formal
176 1.0

A polite or formal way to say goodbye when parting

150 1.0

A polite way to say hello in the afternoon

149 1.4

A person or thing that others should copy

125 2.7

An interesting tale about events that makes people laugh

108 3.0

An honest, sincere intention not to deceive other people

100 1.0

A large amount of something often used with of

93 1.0

Being well in body and mind and free from illness

92 3.3

A benefit that helps someone or something

74 2.5

A lucky event or success that happens by chance

70 1.6

A low or fair amount of money to buy something

A night of sleep that makes you feel rested and ready for the day

68 1.0

A polite phrase for saying goodbye in the evening before sleep

63 1.0

A school or college score that shows above average work

good old days
  • Informal
63 4.1

A past time people remember as happier or simpler

58 3.6

The ability to make sensible decisions in everyday life

53 1.9

A friendly, helpful feeling toward other people

51 2.5

Short praise said about someone to help them be chosen for something

A person who helps strangers without expecting anything in return

40 2.0

Being with people who are nice and fun to talk to

A doctor who people respect and trust

good laugh
  • Informal
35 1.5

A fun time when people laugh together

common good
  • Formal
31 3.5

A benefit that helps all people in a community

29 1.0

Polite and respectful actions toward other people

29 3.4

A period when a person, team, or company has a lot of success

24 3.3

An action or way of dressing that makes you look good

23 1.7

A product or service that is worth the money you pay because it works well

22 2.4

Being friendly, cheerful, and easy to get along with

21 1.0

Dry, mild, sunny conditions that are pleasant for outdoor activities

A person whose presence people believe brings good luck to a team or group

20 1.7

A cheerful, pleasant mood that makes people feel relaxed

good-for-nothing
  • Offensive
19 6.8

Not useful or worth much

19 9.1

A white man often in the southern US who is friendly but supports his group and resists change

Good Book
  • Informal
18 7.5

The Christian holy book used for teaching and comfort

17 1.9

The Friday before Easter when Christians remember Jesus' death on a cross

A reliable person or source who gives information you can trust

12 1.9

Large enough to fit what you need

good vibe
  • Informal
12 4.1

A friendly, positive mood that makes people feel welcome

9 3.5

Positive news or information about something

9 9.9

A white man from the southern US who is friendly but often has unfair views and favors other men

9 4.9

Polite behavior people expect in social situations

good spirit
  • Literature
8 7.8

A kind spirit that protects people and brings good luck

8 1.7

A positive final part of a story or event that makes you feel satisfied

goddamn good
  • Offensive
7 7.9

Very good and impressive

6 2.5

A friendly, helpful attitude that makes a person help others

good-time
  • Informal
5 7.2

Enjoying lively parties and fun with other people

5 2.2

An act of kindness done to help someone

3 1.6

A time when crops grow well and give a lot of food

good-for-nothing
  • Offensive
3 7.1

A person who is lazy and does nothing useful

good drunk
  • Informal
2 8.8

A person who has had too much alcohol but stays friendly and fun

A small thing people keep because they believe it brings good luck

A man who is kind, helpful, and liked by others

A rocky headland south of Cape Town on South Africa's Atlantic coast

1 9.9

A white man from the southern US who is friendly, loyal to his group, and sometimes intolerant

A fun outdoor meal where people cook and eat together

1 1.4

Feeling cheerful and pleasant with other people

A person who helps strangers in trouble without expecting payment

good tucker
  • Australian
1 9.4

Tasty, filling food like a home-cooked meal or pub food

good looker
  • Informal
1 3.6

A person or thing that looks attractive

good-time girl
  • Offensive
1 7.5

A woman who likes parties and has fun with others

A friendly, helpful way people treat others who live near them

How Thoroughly

completely
∞ 1.0
good
  • Informal
927 7.9
well
∞ 1.0
partly
322 1.0
slightly
880 1.0

Surface Forms

good positive
better comparative
best superlative

Etymology

A helpful way to remember the informal adverb use of good is to think of the old root gōd, which also came to mean 'completely' or 'thoroughly' in speech; so when people say 'beat them good' they use good to mean 'completely', though standard English usually uses 'well'.