1 a : of high quality
▪ The food was good. = It was good food. ▪ You'll need better tools for this job. ▪ The car is in good condition/shape. ▪ There are some good restaurants in this neighborhood. ▪ That was a good game. [=the game was exciting, people played well, etc.] ▪ I'm afraid your work is just not good enough. ▪ Keep up the good work. ▪ “Would you hire her again?” “Yes, I would. She does good work.” ▪ His most recent movie is no good. [=it is boring, poorly made, etc.]
b : of somewhat high but not excellent quality
▪ The food was good but not great. ▪ He has done good but not outstanding work. 2 : correct or proper
▪ good manners ▪ good grammar ▪ She speaks very good English. [=she uses correct pronunciation, grammar, etc.] 3 a : pleasant, pleasing, or enjoyable
▪ Did you have a good time at the party? ▪ We're expecting good weather for the weekend. ▪ The soup tastes/smells good. ▪ food that is good to eat ▪ It feels good to sit down after so much walking. ▪ It's a good feeling to know that we were able to help. ▪ good [=happy] memories ▪ I want to make a good [=favorable] impression on my future in-laws. ▪ his rugged good looks [=attractive appearance] ▪ You look good in that dress. = That dress looks good on you. ▪ You don't look so good. [=you look like you feel sick] Do you feel okay? ▪ Have a good day! = (US, informal) Have a good one! [=I hope you have an enjoyable day] — see also good life, good-looking
b : not having, marked by, or relating to problems, troubles, etc.
▪ good and bad news ▪ They've been together in good times and bad. ▪ I had a good feeling about the meeting. ▪ Things are looking pretty good for the company right now. ▪ a good omen ▪ I had the good luck/fortune to meet her when I was in New York. — see also good luck at ¹luck
c : adequate or suitable
▪ It's a good day for a sail. ▪ We need to have a meeting. Is tomorrow good [=convenient] for you? ▪ He's a good person to contact if you're ever in trouble. ▪ I need tires that are good (for driving) in snow. ▪ These tires aren't any good. = These tires are no good.
d : sensible or reasonable
▪ She has a very good reason for being angry. ▪ He showed good judgment in buying a small car. ▪ She gave us some good advice. ▪ That's a very good question/point. ▪ She had the good sense to ask for help. [=she showed that she is able to think in a reasonable way by asking for help] ▪ It's a good idea to arrive early. ▪ “We'd better arrive early.” “Good idea/thinking.”
e : producing or likely to produce a pleasant or favorable result
▪ a good deal/plan ▪ a good risk/investment ▪ a lot of good marketing ideas ▪ It's a good time to be investing in the stock market. ▪ Please accept our best wishes for your success. ▪ “The plane arrived on time.” “That's good.” ▪ Nothing good came of our efforts. ▪ It's a good thing (that) you answered so quickly. = It was good that you answered so quickly.
f : having a desired quality
▪ We paid a good price [=a low price] for the tickets. ▪ The painting should fetch/bring a good price [=a high price] when it's sold. ▪ Did you get good [=high] grades in school? ▪ We found a good parking space near the restaurant. ▪ She has good taste in clothes. [=she likes clothes that are fashionable, of high quality, etc.]
g : expressing approval or praise
▪ a movie that has been getting good reviews ▪ I've heard a lot of good things about you.
h — used in speech as a response ▪ “I'm ready to go when you are.” “Good. Let's get going.” ▪ “I passed the exam!” “(Very) Good!” ▪ “I passed the exam!” “Good for you!” = (chiefly Australia) “Good on you!” [=well done] 4 a : not marked or affected by injury or disease : healthy
▪ I went home early because I wasn't feeling too/very good. [=I wasn't feeling well; I was feeling sick] ▪ Her health is pretty good. = She's in pretty good health. ▪ The patient was reported to be in good condition following surgery. ▪ His hearing is still good but his eyesight is pretty poor/bad. ▪ my good arm/leg [=the arm/leg that is not injured or weak]
b : not causing harm or trouble : causing something desired
▪ a good [=healthy, healthful] diet ▪ good nutrition ▪ You've been a good influence on the kids. ▪ good habits ▪ good cholesterol [=a type of cholesterol that helps prevent a disease that stops your blood from flowing easily] — often + for ▪ Regular exercise is good for you. [=regular exercise makes you healthier] ▪ Hot soup is good for a cold. [=hot soup makes you feel better when you have a cold] ▪ Being with friends is especially good for him right now. 5 a : not morally bad or wrong : morally proper or correct
▪ a good person ▪ good conduct/behavior ▪ a woman/man of good character ▪ Like most people, she has a good side and a bad side. ▪ My intentions were good. ▪ You did a good thing/deed when you helped that stranger. ▪ He lived a good life. ▪ It's hard to tell the good guys [=morally correct people/characters] from the bad guys in this movie. ▪ She is admired for her many good works. [=for the many things she does to help poor people, sick people, etc.] ▪ You should stay away from that guy. He's no good. [=he's a bad person] — see also good life
b : kind or helpful
▪ You've always been so good to me. ▪ It was good of you to answer my request so quickly. — sometimes used to formally make a request ▪ Would you be good enough to show me the way? = Would you be so good as to show me the way? [=would you please show me the way?]
c : behaving properly : not causing trouble
▪ a good dog ▪ The children were very good today. 6 a : having or showing talent or skill : doing or able to do something well
▪ She's a very good golfer. ▪ a good musician/doctor/cook ▪ He was really good in his last movie. [=he acted very well] ▪ I don't know if I'm good enough to make the team. ▪ I have a good memory. [=I am good at remembering things] ▪ a good sense of direction [=an ability to find your way easily in a new place] ▪ an agent with a good eye for new talent [=an agent who is good at finding talented people who are not yet known or famous] ▪ It's a great school where you know your kids are in good hands. [=with people who are able to teach and take care of them well] ▪ I'm confident the café will be in good hands with you in charge. — often + at ▪ She's very good at (playing) golf. ▪ He's not very/any good at expressing his feelings. = He's no good at expressing his feelings. — sometimes used in a joking way ▪ I'm very/really good at saying the wrong thing. [=I often say things that make people uncomfortable, unhappy, etc.] — see also no good, not any good at ²good
b : able to use something or to deal with something or someone well — + with ▪ He's very good with his hands. [=he can easily make/do things with his hands] ▪ She's good with children. [=she manages and interacts with children well; children like her and behave well when they are with her]
c : having a tendency to do something — + about ▪ He's good about writing everything down. [=he usually writes everything down] ▪ I'm trying to be better about exercising. [=I'm trying to exercise more often] 7 a : happy or pleased
▪ I feel good about what happened. [=I'm pleased by what happened] ▪ She felt good that she had remembered his birthday. = She felt good about remembering his birthday. ▪ Helping other people makes me feel good. ▪ She didn't feel good about having to fire her secretary.
b : cheerful or calm
▪ She's in a good mood. [=a happy mood] ▪ He has a good temper. [=he is good-tempered; he doesn't become angry easily] ▪ Everyone was in good spirits. 8 not used before a noun a — used to say how long something will continue or be valid ▪ This offer is good only until the end of the month. ▪ This offer is good for the remainder of the month. ▪ Our old car should be good for a few more years. [=it should last a few more years; it should continue to operate for a few more years]
b : still suitable to eat or drink : not spoiled
▪ Is the milk still good or has it gone bad? 9 — used in phrases like good heavens and good God to express surprise or anger or to make a statement or question more forceful ▪ Good heavens! You startled me! ▪ “Do you agree with him?” “Good God, no!” ▪ (somewhat old-fashioned) Good gracious, I completely forgot! — see also good grief at grief 10 : causing laughter : funny
▪ I heard a good joke the other day. ▪ “He says he's never met her.” “That's a good one. [=that's amusing because it isn't true] I saw them together last week.” ▪ She's always good for a laugh. [=she is always funny] 11 a : large in size, amount, or quantity
▪ The store has a good selection of products. ▪ She won the election by a good [=considerable] margin. ▪ He makes good money as a lawyer. = He makes a good living as a lawyer. [=he earns a lot of money] ▪ They couldn't have succeeded without a good deal of luck. [=a lot of luck] ▪ Things could be a good deal worse. [=things could be much worse] ▪ Tourists have been coming to the area in good numbers. [=many tourists have been coming to the area] ▪ an actress who has appeared in a good number of films [=in many films]
b : not less or fewer than a particular amount : at least — used in the phrase a good ▪ He weighs a good 200 pounds. ▪ We waited a good hour. [=we waited at least an hour] ▪ There are a good 80 people here. 12 always used before a noun : forceful or thorough
▪ If you give the machine a good kick, it might start working again. ▪ Give the bottle a good shake before you open it. ▪ Take a good look at this. ▪ You just need (to get) a good night's sleep. ▪ We were scared when it happened, but we had a good laugh about it later. 13 : having a high social position or status
▪ He comes from a good family. ▪ She thinks her son is too good for me. ▪ It's a good neighborhood. 14 always used before a noun a — used to describe people who know each other well and care about each other very much ▪ She's a good [=close] friend of mine. = She and I are good friends. ▪ my good friend/pal/buddy Joe
b : showing true and constant support for someone
▪ He's been a good friend to me. ▪ I'm trying to be a better sister.
c : belonging to and having loyalty to a group or organization
▪ a good party member ▪ a good Catholic 15 not used before a noun, sports a of a serve or shot : landing in the proper area of the court in tennis and similar games
▪ I thought the ball/serve was good but my opponent said it was out.
b of a shot or kick : successfully done
▪ (basketball) The first foul shot was good, but he missed the second one. ▪ (American football) The field goal was good. ▪ (American football) The field goal was no good. [=the field goal was missed] 16 not used before a noun, informal : not wanting or needing anything more
▪ “Would you like more coffee?” “No, thanks. I'm good.” ▪ “Here's the money I owed you. So we're good now, right?” “Yeah, we're good.” [=we have settled our business; there is no longer any problem between us]