Skip to main content
good enough

good enough

641 1.9
Not perfect but good for what you need
  • adjective
  • /ɡʊd ɪˈnʌf/
translation icon : suficiente
  • The final design was good enough for the client, who approved it without further changes.
  • just good enough
  • never good enough
  • no longer good enough

I didn't, I wasn't a good enough actor back then.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • OK, so that is good enough to get put in build for now.

  • You think this will be good enough for her?

  • You know, we finally feel good enough to get onto the boat.

  • Okay, this team is good enough.

  • But if the bottom line is good enough, you have room for a lot more.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Give him some time here, and he'll be good enough for a proper school.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Good enough to keep you coming back, I guess.

  • The copy might have been rough, but it was good enough to pass on the trick.

    Academic text (2013)
  • But those arguments may not be good enough in the long run.

    Academic text (2011)
  • However, it is usually considered good enough for purposes of pre-trial and settlement conferences.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

enough
vsgood enough
1.0

Having the amount needed for a purpose

is the informal expression that says something is adequate for use
fine
vsgood enough
1.0

In good enough condition so no one needs to worry

is the common phrase used when something meets the need without worry
okay
vsgood enough
1.0

Good enough but not very good

is the simple informal expression for general adequacy in use
all right
vsgood enough
1.0

Feeling healthy or good enough to use

is the simple informal wording for being adequate in a context
OK
vsgood enough
1.0

Good enough for the purpose you need

is the casual spoken way to indicate simple adequacy
decent
vsgood enough
487 2.3

Good enough in quality to meet normal needs

is a plain everyday phrase for meeting a needed standard
acceptable
vsgood enough
477 2.5

Good enough for a particular use or standard

is the simple everyday phrase for being sufficient in use
sufficient
vsgood enough
447 2.8

Enough to do what is needed

is the common spoken expression used for the same idea
adequate
vsgood enough
234 2.7

Enough in amount or quality to meet a need

is a more informal everyday phrase rather than this formal term
suitable
vsgood enough
172 1.8

Right for a certain purpose, person, or situation

focuses on basic adequacy rather than specific appropriateness
ok
vsgood enough
106 1.0

Good enough but not very good

is the everyday phrase used to say something meets basic needs
satisfactory
vsgood enough
81 2.3

Good enough to meet a need but not very good

is the more informal phrase used for this level of adequacy
passable
vsgood enough
8 4.4

Good enough but not very good

is the everyday way to state acceptable sufficiency without praise
up to scratch
vsgood enough
2 5.0

Good enough to meet a required standard

is a general phrase for being acceptable in a situation
right enough
vsgood enough
2 6.3

Correct enough to be useful

is a general phrase for adequacy not only correctness or justification
alright
vsgood enough
  • Informal
1 1.1

In a way that is good enough but not very good

is the common phrase used when a thing is sufficient for purpose
a-okay
vsgood enough
  • Informal
1 7.8

In perfect condition and ready to use

is more neutral, meaning merely adequate rather than completely perfect
copesetic
vsgood enough
  • Slang
9.9

Everything is in very good order and working well

is the neutral everyday way to say something simply meets needs
perfectly cromulent
vsgood enough
  • Slang
9.8

Good enough for the situation even if not special

is the ordinary phrase for being adequate without strong praise

Antonyms

118 4.4

Not enough or not good enough to do what is needed

How Adequate

sufficient
447 2.8
good enough
641 1.9
adequate
234 2.7
acceptable
477 2.5
passable
8 4.4

Surface Forms

good enough positive

Morphology

good + enough

The meaning 'adequate or satisfactory' is directly derivable from combining 'good' (suitable/positive quality) with 'enough' (sufficient in amount), yielding the compositional sense 'sufficiently good.' This adjective + quantifier pattern is common in English and across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

The phrase good enough comes from a simple picture: when something is good and there is enough of it to meet a need, like a cup filled to the right level, it is acceptable. That's why good enough means 'adequate' or 'satisfactory' for the job.