good

[[t]g'ʊd[/t]]

♦

better, best

1) ADJ-GRADED Good means pleasant or enjoyable.

We had a really good time together...

I know they would have a better life here...

There's nothing better than a good cup of hot coffee...

It's so good to hear your voice after all this time.

Ant:

bad

2) ADJ-GRADED Good means of a high quality, standard, or level.

Exercise is just as important to health as good food...

His parents wanted Raymond to have the best possible education...

The train's average speed was no better than that of our bicycles.

...good quality furniture.

Ant:

poor

3) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ at n/-ing If you are good at something, you are skilful and successful at doing it.

He was very good at his work...

I'm not very good at singing...

He is one of the best players in the world...

I always played football with my older brother because I was good for my age.

Ant:

bad, poor

4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you describe a piece of news, an action, or an effect as good, you mean that it is likely to result in benefit or success.

On balance biotechnology should be good news for developing countries...

I had the good fortune to be selected...

This is not a good example to set other children...

I think the response was good.

Ant:

bad

5) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A good idea, reason, method, or decision is a sensible or valid one.

They thought it was a good idea to make some offenders do community service...

There is good reason to doubt this...

Could you give me some advice on the best way to do this?

Syn:

sound, valid

Ant:

bad, poor

6) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ that/to-inf If you say that it is good that something should happen or good to do something, you mean it is desirable, acceptable, or right.

I think it's good that some people are going...

It is always best to choose organically grown foods if possible.

Ant:

bad

7) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A good estimate or indication of something is an accurate one.

We have a fairly good idea of what's going on...

This is a much better indication of what a school is really like...

Laboratory tests are not always a good guide to what happens in the world.

Ant:

poor

8) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you get a good deal or a good price when you buy or sell something, you receive a lot in exchange for what you give.

Whether such properties are a good deal will depend on individual situations...

The merchandise is reasonably priced and offers exceptionally good value.

9) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ for n If something is good for a person or organization, it benefits them.

Rain water was once considered to be good for the complexion...

Nancy chose the product because it is better for the environment.

Syn:

beneficial

Ant:

bad

10) N-SING: with poss If something is done for the good of a person or organization, it is done in order to benefit them.

Furlaud urged him to resign for the good of the country...

Victims want to see justice done not just for themselves, but for the greater good of society...

I'm only telling you this for your own good!

Syn:

benefit

11) N-UNCOUNT: with brd-neg If someone or something is no good or is not any good, they are not satisfactory or are of a low standard.

If the weather's no good then I won't take any pictures...

I was never any good at maths.

12) N-UNCOUNT: usu with brd-neg If you say that doing something is no good or does not do any good, you mean that doing it is not of any use or will not bring any success.

It's no good worrying about it now...

We gave them water and kept them warm, but it didn't do any good...

There is no way to measure these effects; the chances are it did some good.

13) N-UNCOUNT Good is what is considered to be right according to moral standards or religious beliefs.

Good and evil may co-exist within one family.

Ant:

evil

14) ADJ-GRADED Someone who is good is morally correct in their attitudes and behaviour.

The president is a good man...

For me to think I'm any better than a homeless person on the street is ridiculous.

Ant:

bad, evil

15) ADJ-GRADED Someone, especially a child, who is good obeys rules and instructions and behaves in a socially correct way.

The children were very good...

I'm going to be a good boy now...

Both boys had good manners, politely shaking hands.

Ant:

bad

16) ADJ-GRADED Someone who is good is kind and thoughtful.

You are good to me...

Her good intentions were thwarted almost immediately...

Just ask the Admiral if he will be good enough to drop me a note.

17) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Someone who is in a good mood is cheerful and pleasant to be with.

People were in a pretty good mood...

He exudes natural charm and good humour...

A relaxation session may put you in a better frame of mind.

Ant:

bad

18) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n If people are good friends, they get on well together and are very close.

She and Gavin are good friends...

She's my best friend, and I really love her.

19) ADJ: ADJ n A person's good eye, arm, or leg is the one that is healthy and strong, if the other one is injured or weak.

He turned his good eye on me and laughed.

Ant:

bad

20) ADJ: a ADJ n (emphasis) You use good to emphasize the great extent or degree of something.

We waited a good fifteen minutes...

This whole thing's got a good bit more dangerous.

21) CONVENTION You say `Good' or `Very good' to express pleasure, satisfaction, or agreement with something that has been said or done, especially when you are in a position of authority.

`Are you all right?' - `I'm fine.' - `Good. So am I.'...

Oh good, Tom's just come in...

`Strike Force Three are here, sir.' - `Good.'

22) → See also , better, goods

23) PHRASE: v-link PHR adj/-ed/v `As good as' can be used to mean `almost.'

His career is as good as over...

The vote as good as kills the chance of real reform.

Syn:

practically

24) PHRASE: oft for PHR If you do something for the common good, you do it for the benefit or advantage of everyone.

...communities working together for the common good...

Many of them placed self-interest before the common good.

25) PHRASE: V inflects, oft it PHR if/to-inf If you say that something will do someone good, you mean that it will benefit them or improve them.

The outing will do me good...

It's probably done you good to get away for a few hours...

You don't do anybody any good by getting yourself arrested.

26) PHRASE: PHR after v If something changes or disappears for good, it never changes back or comes back as it was before.

The days of big-time racing at Herne Hill had gone for good...

A few shots of this drug cleared up the disease for good.

27) CONVENTION (feelings) People say `Good for you' to express approval of your actions.

`He has a girl now, who he lives with.' - `Good for him.'

28) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If someone is good for something, you can rely on them to provide that thing.

Joe was always good for a colorful quote...

She heard her father shouting that her mother was stupid, useless, and good for nothing but her money.

29) PHRASE: V inflects If you say it's a good thing, or in British English it's a good job, that something is the case, you mean that it is fortunate.

It's a good thing you aren't married...

It's a good job it happened here rather than on the open road.

30) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you make good some damage, a loss, or a debt, you try to repair the damage, replace what has been lost, or repay the debt.

It may cost several billion roubles to make good the damage.

Syn:

put right

31) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n, PHR on n If someone makes good a threat or promise or makes good on it, they do what they have threatened or promised to do. [mainly AM]

Certain that he was going to make good his threat to kill her now, Darlene brandished the gun...

He was confident the allies would make good on their pledges.

32) PHRASE: V inflects If someone makes good, they become successful, famous, or rich.

Both men are poor boys made good.

33) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If you say that something or someone is as good as new, you mean that they are in a very good condition or state, especially after they have been damaged or ill.

I only ever use that on special occasions so it's as good as new...

In a day or so he will be as good as new.

34) PHRASE: PHR n (feelings) You use good old before the name of a person, place, or thing when you are referring to them in an affectionate way.

Good old Harry. Reliable to the end...

There is nothing wrong with good old cauliflower cheese.

35) PHRASE If you say that someone is living the good life, you mean that they are living in comfort and luxury with few problems or worries.

36) to be in someone's good books → see book

good deal → see deal

in good faith → see faith

so far so good → see far

a good few → see few

good as gold → see gold

good gracious → see gracious

good grief → see grief

good heavens → see heaven

for good or ill → see ill

good job → see job

good lord → see lord

for good measure → see measure

the good old days → see old

good question → see question

in good shape → see shape

to stand someone in good stead → see stead

in good time → see time

too good to be true → see true

to be as good as one's word → see word