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good

good

407 7.9
Used informally to mean completely or very much
  • adverb
  • /ɡʊd/
  • Informal
translation icon : 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
919 1.0

In a fairly good way

is stronger, meaning completely or to a high standard
thoroughly
vsgood
259 3.5

To do something completely and carefully

can mean complete or high quality without the detailed focus
soundly
vsgood
31 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
8 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
1 6.2

Completely and in the right way

is the informal nonstandard form rather than the neutral phrase
a-okay
vsgood
  • Informal
1 7.8

In perfect condition and ready to use

is a casual form stressing total satisfaction rather than technical precision

Antonyms

285 1.0

In a way that makes people think less of someone

283 1.4

In a bad or unsuccessful way

Idioms

1.0

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

237 2.8

Forever, not coming back to how things were before

185 2.0

Enough quality or ability to do what is needed

170 1.0

Helps your health

all good
  • Informal
139 5.4

Everything is fine with no problems or worries

good for you
  • Informal
92 5.8

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

good to go
  • Informal
85 3.5

Ready to start or continue something

81 2.4

To a great degree

47 5.9

So good that you find it hard to believe

what's good
  • Informal
38 9.1

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

good God
  • Informal
35 8.2

An exclamation that shows strong surprise or shock

up to no good
  • Informal
19 7.4

Acting in a secret or suspicious way to do something wrong

16 3.2

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

15 6.3

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

15 3.3

Getting along well with someone

A small extra thing you add as a bonus

Completely prepared and willing to begin

8 7.9

To speak confidently about what you can do without proving it

To have a happy, full life and treat others well

5 3.9

So pretty it looks like you could eat it

good egg
  • Informal
5 6.1

A person who is kind, honest and easy to trust

A person who thinks carefully and makes sensible choices

To respond equally strongly when someone attacks or criticizes you

Respond to an attack or criticism with equal force

good gracious
  • Informal
3 6.7

A short cry people say when they are very surprised

To keep spending money on something that is already failing

Showing a polite, attractive style that most people approve of

odds are good
  • Informal
2 3.7

There is a good chance it will happen

good and proper
  • Informal
1 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

1 8.6

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

for good and all
  • Informal
1 5.3

Forever, with no return or change

1 6.8

At a time you choose without being hurried by others

To succeed by helping others and acting fairly

1 7.5

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

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

5.0

To handle a situation well by using what you have

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

9.9

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

To do well in front of others in a difficult situation

To have a lot of fun during an event or time

in good odor
  • Archaic
9.7

A person or group that people respect and trust

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

An unclear thing that does not help you understand or decide

To be useful to someone in the future

Trying to be perfect can stop good work from getting done

So good that it should not be thrown away

Compounds

1.0

A time when people have fun

1.0

Information that makes you feel happy or hopeful

641 1.9

Not perfect but good for what you need

547 1.0

A fortunate event that happens by chance

480 1.0

A polite greeting people say when they meet in the morning

291 3.3

A benefit that helps someone or something

good guy
  • Informal
281 1.8

A person who helps others and usually does the right thing

278 1.2

Having a nice face or body that people find attractive

165 1.0

A polite greeting or farewell used in the evening

163 1.0

A large amount of something often used with of

160 3.3

An action or way of dressing that makes you look good

good boy
  • Baby Talk
144 1.0

A child or dog who behaves well and gets praise

good day
  • Formal
131 1.0

A polite or formal way to say goodbye when parting

112 3.0

An honest, sincere intention not to deceive other people

111 1.4

A person or thing that others should copy

A polite way to say hello in the afternoon

90 3.2

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

no-good
  • Informal
88 5.6

Bad or worthless and often causing trouble

82 1.0

Being well in body and mind and free from illness

77 1.0

A polite phrase for saying goodbye in the evening before sleep

77 2.7

An interesting tale about events that makes people laugh

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

66 2.5

A lucky event or success that happens by chance

59 1.0

Words or actions people use when they leave

58 1.7

An attractive face and appearance people notice

53 3.6

The ability to make sensible decisions in everyday life

good old days
  • Informal
49 4.1

A past time people remember as happier or simpler

47 1.0

A school or college score that shows above average work

31 2.0

Being with people who are nice and fun to talk to

30 1.6

A low or fair amount of money to buy something

good laugh
  • Informal
29 1.5

A fun time when people laugh together

common good
  • Formal
27 3.5

A benefit that helps all people in a community

26 2.5

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

26 3.4

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

23 1.0

Polite and respectful actions toward other people

good-time
  • Informal
19 7.2

Enjoying lively parties and fun with other people

19 2.4

Being friendly, cheerful, and easy to get along with

good-for-nothing
  • Offensive
16 7.1

A person who is lazy and does nothing useful

A person who helps strangers in trouble without expecting payment

A person who helps strangers without expecting anything in return

A doctor who people respect and trust

A reliable person or source who gives information you can trust

13 1.7

A cheerful, pleasant mood that makes people feel relaxed

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

13 1.9

Large enough to fit what you need

11 1.9

A friendly, helpful feeling toward other people

10 9.1

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

10 1.0

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

9 1.9

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

9 1.7

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

8 3.5

Positive news or information about something

good vibe
  • Informal
8 4.1

A friendly, positive mood that makes people feel welcome

no-good
  • Jargon
8 6.7

A check that the bank will not pay because the account has no money

7 9.9

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

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

5 2.2

An act of kindness done to help someone

4 1.7

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

good spirit
  • Literature
4 7.8

A kind spirit that protects people and brings good luck

Good Book
  • Informal
3 7.5

The Christian holy book used for teaching and comfort

goddamn good
  • Offensive
3 7.9

Very good and impressive

3 4.9

Polite behavior people expect in social situations

2 1.6

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

good-for-nothing
  • Offensive
2 6.8

Not useful or worth much

A fun outdoor meal where people cook and eat together

2 3.0

A product or raw material sold in large amounts to other businesses

2 2.5

A friendly, helpful attitude that makes a person help others

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

good drunk
  • Informal
1 8.8

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

1 9.9

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

good looker
  • Informal
1 3.6

A person or thing that looks attractive

good tucker
  • Australian
1 9.4

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

A product sold in a package like food or soap

1 1.4

Feeling cheerful and pleasant with other people

How Thoroughly

completely
1.0
good
  • Informal
407 7.9
well
1.0
partly
375 1.0
slightly
885 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'.