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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

GOOD, a.
1. Valid; legally firm; not weak or defective; having strength adequate to its support; as a good title; a good deed; a good claim.
2. Valid; sound; not weak, false or fallacious; as a good argument.
3. Complete or sufficiently perfect in its kind; having the physical qualities best adapted to its design and use; opposed to bad,imperfect, corrupted, impaired. We say, good timber, good cloth, a good soil, a good color.
And God saw every thing that he had made, and
behold, it was very good. Genesis 1.
4. Having moral qualities best adapted to its design and use, or the qualities which God's law requires; virtuous; pious; religious; applied to persons, and opposed to bad, vitious, wicked, evil.
Yet peradventure for a good man some would
even dare to die. Romans 5.
5. Conformable to the moral law; virtuous; applied to actions.
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.
Titus 2.
6. Proper; fit; convenient; seasonable; well adapted to the end. It was a good time to commence operations. He arrived in good time.
7. Convenient; useful; expedient; conducive to happiness.
It is not good that the man should be alone. Genesis 2.
8. Sound; perfect; uncorrupted; undamaged. This fruit will keep good the whole year.
9. Suitable to the taste or to health; wholesome; salubrious; palatable; not disagreeable or noxious; as fruit good to eat; a tree good for food. Genesis 2.
10. Suited to produce a salutary effect; adapted to abate or cure; medicinal; salutary; beneficial; as, fresh vegetables are good for scorbutic diseases.
11. Suited to strengthen or assist the healthful functions; as, a little wine is good for a weak stomach.
12. Pleasant to the taste; as a good apple.
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good, and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste. Proverbs 24.
13. Full; complete.
The protestant subjects of the abbey make up a good third of its people.
14. Useful; valuable; having qualities or a tendency to produce a good effect.
All quality, that is good for any thing,is originally founded on merit.
15. Equal; adequate; competent. His security is good for the amount of the debt; applied to persons able to fulfill contracts.
Antonio is a good man.
16. Favorable; convenient for any purpose; as a good stand for business; a good station for a camp.
17. Convenient; suitable; safe; as a good harbor for ships.
18. Well qualified; able; skillful; or performing duties with skill and fidelity; as a good prince; a good commander; a good officer; a good physician.
19. Ready; dexterous.
Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else.
20. Kind; benevolent; affectionate; as a good father; good will.
21. Kind; affectionate; faithful; as a good friend.
22. Promotive of happiness; pleasant; agreeable; cheering; gratifying.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalms 133.
23. Pleasant or prosperous; as, good morrow, Sir; good morning.
24. Honorable; fair; unblemished; unimpeached; as a man of good fame or report.
A good name is better than precious ointment.
Ecclesiastes 7.
25. Cheerful; favorable to happiness. Be of good comfort.
26. Great or considerable; not small nor very great; as a good while ago; he is a good way off, or at a good distance; he has a good deal of leisure; I had a good share of the trouble. Here we see the primary sense of extending, advancing.
27. Elegant; polite; as good breeding.
28. Real; serious; not feigned.
Love not in good earnest.
29. Kind; favorable; benevolent; humane.
The men were very good to us. 2 Samuel 25.
30. Benevolent; merciful; gracious.
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are
of a clean heart. Psalms 73.
31. Seasonable; commendable; proper.
Why trouble ye the woman, for she hath
wrought a good work on me. Matthew 26.
32. Pleasant; cheerful; festive.
We come in a good day. 2 Samuel 25.
33. Companionable; social; merry.
It is well known, that Sir Roger had been a good fellow in his youth.
34. Brave; in familiar language. You are a good fellow.
35. In the phrases, the good man, applied to the master of the house,and good woman, applied to the mistress, good sometimes expresses a moderate degree of respect, and sometimes slight contempt. Among the first settlers of New England, it was used as a title instead of Mr.; as Goodman Jones; Goodman Wells.
36. The phrase good will is equivalent to benevolence; but it signifies also an earnest desire, a hearty wish, entire willingness or fervent zeal; as, we entered into the service with a good will; he laid on stripes with a good will.
37. Comely; handsome; well formed; as a good person or shape.
38. Mild; pleasant; expressing benignity or other estimable qualities; as a good countenance.
39. Mild; calm; not irritable or fractious; as a good temper.
40. Kind; friendly; humane; as a good heart or disposition.
Good advice, wise and prudent counsel.
Good heed, great care; due caution.
In good south, in good truth; in reality.
To make good, to perform; to fulfill; as, to make good one's word or promise; that is to make it entire or unbroken.
1. To confirm or establish; to prove; to verify; as, to make good a charge or accusation.
2. To supply deficiency; to make up a defect or loss. I will make good what is wanting.
3. To indemnify; to give an equivalent for damages. If you suffer loss, I will make it good to you.
4. To maintain; to carry into effect; as, to make good a retreat.
To stand good, to be firm or valid. His word or promise stands good.
To think good, to see good, is to be pleased or satisfied; to think to be expedient.
If ye think good, give me my price. Zechariah 11.
As good as, equally; no better than; the same as. We say, one is as good as dead. Hebrews 11.
As good as his word, equaling in fulfillment what was promised; performing to the extent.
GOOD, n. That which contributes to diminish or remove pain, or to increase happiness or prosperity; benefit; advantage; opposed to evil or misery. The medicine will do neither good nor harm. It does my heart good to see you so happy.
There are many that say, who will show us any good. Psalms 4.
1. Welfare; prosperity; advancement of interest or happiness. He labored for the good of the state.
The good of the whole community can be promoted only by advancing the good of each of the members composing it.
2. Spiritual advantage or improvement; as the good of souls.
3. Earnest; not jest.
The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all.
The phrase, for good and all, signifies, finally; to close the whole business; for the last time.
4. Moral works; actions which are just and in conformity to the moral law or divine precepts.
Depart from evil, and do good. Psalms 34.
5. Moral qualities; virtue; righteousness.
I find no good in this man.
6. The best fruits; richness; abundance.
I will give you the good of the land. Genesis 45.
GOOD, v.t. To manure. [Not in use.]
GOOD, adv. As good, as well; with equal advantage. Had you not as good go with me? In America we use goods,the Gothic word. Had you not as goods go?
In replies, good signifies well; right; it is satisfactory; I am satisfied. I will be with you to morrow; answer, good, very good. So we use well, from the root of L. valeo, to be strong.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified; "good news from the hospital"; "a good report card"; "when she was good she was very very good"; "a good knife is one good for cutting"; "this stump will make a good picnic table"; "a good check"; "a good joke"; "a good exterior paint"; "a good secretary"; "a good dress for the office" [ant: bad]
2: having the normally expected amount; "gives full measure"; "gives good measure"; "a good mile from here" [syn: full, good]
3: morally admirable [ant: evil]
4: deserving of esteem and respect; "all respectable companies give guarantees"; "ruined the family's good name" [syn: estimable, good, honorable, respectable]
5: promoting or enhancing well-being; "an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries"; "the beneficial effects of a temperate climate"; "the experience was good for her" [syn: beneficial, good]
6: agreeable or pleasing; "we all had a good time"; "good manners"
7: of moral excellence; "a genuinely good person"; "a just cause"; "an upright and respectable man" [syn: good, just, upright]
8: having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude; "adept in handicrafts"; "an adept juggler"; "an expert job"; "a good mechanic"; "a practiced marksman"; "a proficient engineer"; "a lesser-known but no less skillful composer"; "the effect was achieved by skillful retouching" [syn: adept, expert, good, practiced, proficient, skillful, skilful]
9: thorough; "had a good workout"; "gave the house a good cleaning"
10: with or in a close or intimate relationship; "a good friend"; "my sisters and brothers are near and dear" [syn: dear, good, near]
11: financially sound; "a good investment"; "a secure investment" [syn: dependable, good, safe, secure]
12: most suitable or right for a particular purpose; "a good time to plant tomatoes"; "the right time to act"; "the time is ripe for great sociological changes" [syn: good, right, ripe]
13: resulting favorably; "it's a good thing that I wasn't there"; "it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw you"; "all's well that ends well" [syn: good, well]
14: exerting force or influence; "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)" [syn: effective, good, in effect, in force]
15: capable of pleasing; "good looks"
16: appealing to the mind; "good music"; "a serious book" [syn: good, serious]
17: in excellent physical condition; "good teeth"; "I still have one good leg"; "a sound mind in a sound body" [syn: good, sound]
18: tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health; "beneficial effects of a balanced diet"; "a good night's sleep"; "the salutary influence of pure air" [syn: good, salutary]
19: not forged; "a good dollar bill" [syn: good, honest]
20: not left to spoil; "the meat is still good" [syn: good, undecomposed, unspoiled, unspoilt]
21: generally admired; "good taste" n
1: benefit; "for your own good"; "what's the good of worrying?"
2: moral excellence or admirableness; "there is much good to be found in people" [syn: good, goodness] [ant: evil, evilness]
3: that which is pleasing or valuable or useful; "weigh the good against the bad"; "among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization" [syn: good, goodness] [ant: bad, badness]
4: articles of commerce [syn: commodity, trade good, good] adv
1: (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well'); "the children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis"; "a well-seasoned dish"; "a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty good" [syn: well, good] [ant: badly, ill, poorly]
2: completely and absolutely (`good' is sometimes used informally for `thoroughly'); "he was soundly defeated"; "we beat him good" [syn: thoroughly, soundly, good]

Merriam Webster's

I. adjective (better; best) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English g?d; akin to Old High German guot good, Middle High German gatern to unite, Sanskrit gadhya what one clings to Date: before 12th century 1. a. (1) of a favorable character or tendency <good news> (2) bountiful, fertile <good land> (3) handsome, attractive <good looks> b. (1) suitable, fit <good to eat> (2) free from injury or disease <one good arm> (3) not depreciated <bad money drives out good> (4) commercially sound <a good risk> (5) that can be relied on <good for another year> <good for a hundred dollars> <always good for a laugh> (6) profitable, advantageous <made a very good deal> c. (1) agreeable, pleasant <had a good time> (2) salutary, wholesome <good for a cold> (3) amusing, clever <a good joke> d. (1) of a noticeably large size or quantity ; considerable <won by a good margin> <a good bit of the time> (2) full <waited a good hour> (3) — used as an intensive <a good many of us> e. (1) well-founded, cogent <good reasons> (2) true <holds good for society at large> (3) deserving of respect ; honorable <in good standing> (4) legally valid or effectual <good title> f. (1) adequate, satisfactory <good care> — often used in faint praise <his serve is only good — Frank Deford> (2) conforming to a standard <good English> (3) choice, discriminating <good taste> (4) containing less fat and being less tender than higher grades — used of meat and especially of beef 2. a. (1) virtuous, right, commendable <a good person> <good conduct> (2) kind, benevolent <good intentions> b. upper-class <a good family> c. competent, skillful <a good doctor> d. (1) loyal <a good party man> <a good Catholic> (2) close <a good friend> e. free from infirmity or sorrow <I feel good> • goodish adjective Usage: An old notion that it is wrong to say “I feel good” in reference to health still occasionally appears in print. The origins of this notion are obscure, but they seem to combine someone's idea that good should be reserved to describe virtue and uncertainty about whether an adverb or an adjective should follow feel. Today nearly everyone agrees that both good and well can be predicate adjectives after feel. Both are used to express good health, but good may connote good spirits in addition to good health. II. noun Date: before 12th century 1. a. something that is good b. (1) something conforming to the moral order of the universe (2) praiseworthy character ; goodness c. a good element or portion 2. a. advancement of prosperity or well-being <the good of the community> <it's for your own good> b. something useful or beneficial <it's no good trying> 3. a. something that has economic utility or satisfies an economic want b. plural personal property having intrinsic value but usually excluding money, securities, and negotiable instruments c. plural cloth d. plural something manufactured or produced for sale ; wares, merchandise <canned goods> e. plural, British freight 4. good persons — used with the 5. plural a. the qualities required to achieve an end b. proof of wrongdoing <didn't have the goods on him — T. G. Cooke> III. adverb Date: 13th century 1. well <he showed me how good I was doing — Herbert Gold> 2. — used as an intensive <a good 200 pounds> <a good long time> Usage: Adverbial good has been under attack from the schoolroom since the 19th century. Insistence on well rather than good has resulted in a split in connotation: well is standard, neutral, and colorless, while good is emotionally charged and emphatic. This makes good the adverb of choice in sports <“I'm seeing the ball real good” is what you hear — Roger Angell>. In such contexts as <listen up. And listen good — Alex Karras> <lets fly with his tomatoes before they can flee. He gets Clarence good — Charles Dickinson> good cannot be adequately replaced by well. Adverbial good is primarily a spoken form; in writing it occurs in reported and fictional speech and in generally familiar or informal contexts.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj., n., & adv. --adj. (better, best) 1 having the right or desired qualities; satisfactory, adequate. 2 a (of a person) efficient, competent (good at French; a good driver). b (of a thing) reliable, efficient (good brakes). c (of health etc.) strong (good eyesight). 3 a kind, benevolent (good of you to come). b morally excellent; virtuous (a good deed). c charitable (good works). d well-behaved (a good child). 4 enjoyable, agreeable (a good party; good news). 5 thorough, considerable (gave it a good wash). 6 a not less than (waited a good hour). b considerable in number, quality, etc. (a good many people). 7 healthy, beneficial (milk is good for you). 8 a valid, sound (a good reason). b financially sound (his credit is good). 9 in exclamations of surprise (good heavens!). 10 right, proper, expedient (thought it good to have a try). 11 fresh, eatable, untainted (is the meat still good?). 12 (sometimes patronizing) commendable, worthy (good old George; your good lady wife; good men and true; my good man). 13 well shaped, attractive (has good legs; good looks). 14 in courteous greetings and farewells (good afternoon). --n. 1 (only in sing.) that which is good; what is beneficial or morally right (only good can come of it; did it for your own good; what good will it do?). 2 (only in sing.) a desirable end or object; a thing worth attaining (sacrificing the present for a future good). 3 (in pl.) a movable property or merchandise. b Brit. things to be transported, as distinct from passengers. c (prec. by the) colloq. what one has undertaken to supply (esp. deliver the goods). d (prec. by the) sl. the real thing; the genuine article. 4 (as pl.; prec. by the) virtuous people. --adv. US colloq. well (doing pretty good). Phrases and idioms: as good as practically (he as good as told me). be so good as (or be good enough) to (often in a request) be kind and do (a favour) (be so good as to open the window). be (a certain amount) to the good have as net profit or advantage. do good show kindness, act philanthropically. do a person good be beneficial to. for good (and all) finally, permanently. good and colloq. used as an intensifier before an adj. or adv. (raining good and hard; was good and angry). the good book the Bible. good breeding correct or courteous manners. good faith see FAITH. good for 1 beneficial to; having a good effect on. 2 able to perform; inclined for (good for a ten-mile walk). 3 able to be trusted to pay (is good for £100). good form see FORM. good-for-nothing (or -nought) adj. worthless. --n. a worthless person. good for you! (or him!, her!, etc.) exclamation of approval towards a person. Good Friday the Friday before Easter Sunday commemorating the Crucifixion of Christ. good-hearted kindly, well-meaning. good humour a genial mood. a good job a fortunate state of affairs (it's a good job you came early). good-looker a handsome or attractive person. good-looking handsome; attractive. good luck 1 good fortune, happy chance. 2 exclamation of well-wishing. good money 1 genuine money; money that might usefully have been spent elsewhere. 2 colloq. high wages. good nature a friendly disposition. good oil Austral. sl. reliable information. good on you! (or him! etc.) = good for you! goods and chattels see CHATTEL. good-time recklessly pursuing pleasure. good-timer a person who recklessly pursues pleasure. good times a period of prosperity. good will the intention and hope that good will result (see also GOODWILL). a good word (often in phr. put in a good word for) words in recommendation or defence of a person. good works charitable acts. have a good mind see MIND. have the goods on a person sl. have advantageous information about a person. have a good time enjoy oneself. in a person's good books see BOOK. in good faith with honest or sincere intentions. in good time 1 with no risk of being late. 2 (also all in good time) in due course but without haste. make good 1 make up for, compensate for, pay (an expense). 2 fulfil (a promise); effect (a purpose or an intended action). 3 demonstrate the truth of (a statement); substantiate (a charge). 4 gain and hold (a position). 5 replace or restore (a thing lost or damaged). 6 (absol.) accomplish what one intended. no good 1 mischief (is up to no good). 2 useless; to no advantage (it is no good arguing). no-good --adj. useless. --n. a useless thing or person. take in good part not be offended by. to the good having as profit or benefit. Derivatives: goodish adj. Etymology: OE god f. Gmc

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Good Good, a. [Compar. Better; superl. Best. These words, though used as the comparative and superlative of good, are from a different root.] [AS. G[=o]d, akin to D. goed, OS. g[=o]d, OHG. guot, G. gut, Icel. g[=o][eth]r, Sw. & Dan. god, Goth. g[=o]ds; prob. orig., fitting, belonging together, and akin to E. gather. [root]29 Cf. Gather.] 1. Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. --Gen. i. 31. Good company, good wine, good welcome. --Shak. 2. Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; -- said of persons or actions. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works. --Tit. ii. 7. 3. Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; -- often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto. The men were very good unto us. --1 Sam. xxv. 15. 4. Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; -- followed especially by for. All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit. --Collier. 5. Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; -- followed especially by at. He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor. --Shak. Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else. --South. 6. Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary ability; of unimpaired credit. My reasons are both good and weighty. --Shak. My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond. --Shak. 7. Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth. Love no man in good earnest. --Shak. 8. Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc. 9. Not lacking or deficient; full; complete. Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. --Luke vi. 38. 10. Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc. A good name is better than precious ointment. --Eccl. vii. 1. As good as. See under As. For good, or For good and all, completely and finally; fully; truly. The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all. --L'Estrange. Good breeding, polite or polished manners, formed by education; a polite education. Distinguished by good humor and good breeding. --Macaulay. Good cheap, literally, good bargain; reasonably cheap. Good consideration (Law). (a) A consideration of blood or of natural love and affection. --Blackstone. (b) A valuable consideration, or one which will sustain a contract. Good fellow, a person of companionable qualities. [Familiar] Good folk, or Good people, fairies; brownies; pixies, etc. [Colloq. Eng. & Scot.] Good for nothing. (a) Of no value; useless; worthless. (b) Used substantively, an idle, worthless person. My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing. --Ld. Lytton. Good Friday, the Friday of Holy Week, kept in some churches as a fast, in memoory of our Savior's passion or suffering; the anniversary of the crucifixion. Good humor, or Good-humor, a cheerful or pleasant temper or state of mind. Good nature, or Good-nature, habitual kindness or mildness of temper or disposition; amiability; state of being in good humor. The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character. --Macaulay. The young count's good nature and easy persuadability were among his best characteristics. --Hawthorne. Good people. See Good folk (above). Good speed, good luck; good success; godspeed; -- an old form of wishing success. See Speed. Good turn, an act of kidness; a favor. Good will. (a) Benevolence; well wishing; kindly feeling. (b) (Law) The custom of any trade or business; the tendency or inclination of persons, old customers and others, to resort to an established place of business; the advantage accruing from tendency or inclination. The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place. --Lord Eldon. In good time. (a) Promptly; punctually; opportunely; not too soon nor too late. (b) (Mus.) Correctly; in proper time. To hold good, to remain true or valid; to be operative; to remain in force or effect; as, his promise holds good; the condition still holds good. To make good, to fulfill; to establish; to maintain; to supply (a defect or deficiency); to indemmify; to prove or verify (an accusation); to prove to be blameless; to clear; to vindicate. Each word made good and true. --Shak. Of no power to make his wishes good. --Shak. I . . . would by combat make her good. --Shak. Convenient numbers to make good the city. --Shak. To think good, to approve; to be pleased or satisfied with; to consider expedient or proper. If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. --Zech. xi. 12. Note: Good, in the sense of wishing well, is much used in greeting and leave-taking; as, good day, good night, good evening, good morning, etc.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Good Good, n. 1. That which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.; -- opposed to evil. There be many that say, Who will show us any good ? --Ps. iv. 6. 2. Advancement of interest or happiness; welfare; prosperity; advantage; benefit; -- opposed to harm, etc. The good of the whole community can be promoted only by advancing the good of each of the members composing it. --Jay. 3. pl. Wares; commodities; chattels; -- formerly used in the singular in a collective sense. In law, a comprehensive name for almost all personal property as distinguished from land or real property. --Wharton. He hath made us spend much good. --Chaucer. Thy lands and goods Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate Unto the state of Venice. --Shak. Dress goods, Dry goods, etc. See in the Vocabulary. Goods engine, a freight locomotive. [Eng.] Goods train, a freight train. [Eng.] Goods wagon, a freight car [Eng.] See the Note under Car, n., 2.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Good Good, adv. Well, -- especially in the phrase as good, with a following as expressed or implied; equally well with as much advantage or as little harm as possible. As good almost kill a man as kill a good book. --Milton. As good as, in effect; virtually; the same as. They who counsel ye to such a suppressing, do as good as bid ye suppress yourselves. --Milton.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Good Good, v. t. 1. To make good; to turn to good. [Obs.] 2. To manure; to improve. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(better, best) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. 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. ? bad ADJ 2. 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... ...good quality furniture. ? poor ADJ 3. 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. ? bad, poor ADJ: oft ADJ at n/-ing 4. 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. ? bad ADJ: usu ADJ n 5. 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? ? bad, poor ADJ: usu ADJ n 6. 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. ? bad ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ that/to-inf 7. 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. ? poor ADJ: usu ADJ n 8. 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. ADJ: usu ADJ n 9. 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. = beneficial ? bad ADJ: v-link ADJ for n 10. 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... I'm only telling you this for your own good! = benefit N-SING: with poss 11. 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. N-UNCOUNT: with brd-neg 12. 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. N-UNCOUNT: usu with brd-neg 13. Good is what is considered to be right according to moral standards or religious beliefs. Good and evil may co-exist within one family. ? evil N-UNCOUNT 14. 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. ? bad ADJ 15. 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. ? bad ADJ 16. Someone who is good is kind and thoughtful. You are good to me... Her good intentions were thwarted almost immediately... ADJ 17. 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. ? bad ADJ: usu ADJ n 18. 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. ADJ: ADJ n 19. A person's good eye, arm, or leg is the one that is healthy and strong, if the other one is injured or weak. ? bad ADJ: ADJ n 20. 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. ADJ: a ADJ n [emphasis] 21. 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... CONVENTION 22. see also best, better, goods 23. '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. = practically PHRASE: v-link PHR adj/-ed/v 24. 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. PHRASE: V inflects, oft it PHR if/to-inf 25. 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. PHRASE: PHR after v 26. People say 'Good for you' to express approval of your actions. 'He has a girl now, who he lives with.'—'Good for him.' CONVENTION [feelings] 27. 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. PHRASE: V inflects 28. 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. = put right PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n 29. 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, she lunged for the gun... He was confident the allies would make good on their pledges. PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n, PHR on n 30. 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. PHRASE: usu v-link PHR 31. 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... PHRASE: PHR n [feelings] 32. good deal: see deal in good faith: see faith so far so good: see far good as gold: see gold good gracious: see gracious good grief: see grief good heavens: see heaven good job: see job good lord: see lord for good measure: see measure the good old days: see old 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

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.

(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:

(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).

(b) Moral excellence, piety: "to know good and evil" (Ge 3:22); "that which is right and good" (De 6:18; 1Sa 12:23); "good and bad" (1Ki 3:9, the Revised Version (British and American) "evil"); "Depart from evil and do good" (Ps 37:27); "a good man" (Pr 12:2); compare Isa 5:20; Mic 6:8, etc.

(c) Kind, benevolent: "The men were very good unto us" (1Sa 25:15); "Give thanks unto Yahweh; for he is good" (1Ch 16:34); "the good Yahweh" (2Ch 30:18); "God is good to Israel" (Ps 73:1); "Yahweh is good to all" (Ps 145:9), etc.

(d) Serviceable, adequate, sufficient: "saw the light that it was good" (Ge 1:4; so 1:10,12 etc.); "not good that the man should be alone" (Ge 2:18); in the frequent phrase, "if it seem good" (1Ch 13:2; Es 5:4, etc.), sometimes rendered, "if it please" (Ne 2:5,7; Es 1:19, etc.).

(e) Not small or deficient (full, complete): "a good old age" (Ge 15,15; 25:8); "a good dowry" (Ge 30:20); "good ears," "years," "kine" (Ge 41:24,26,35); "good understanding" (1Sa 25:3); "good trees--"land" (2Ki 3:19,25), etc. (f) Not blemished, fair, honorable: "tender and good" (Ge 18:7); "good kids" (Ge 27:9); "good report" (1Sa 2:24; compare 2Ki 20:3; Jer 24:2); and the renderings "fair" (Ge 26:7, etc.), "beautiful" (2Sa 11:2), "pleasant" (2Ki 2:19), etc.

(g) Pleasure-giving, happy: "glad of heart" (1Ki 8:66; Es 5:9); sometimes in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) translated "merry" (Jud 16:25; 1Sa 25:36; 2Sa 13:28; Pr 15:15, the Revised Version (British and American) "cheerful"), etc.

Changes that may be noted in the Revised Version (British and American) are such as, "good" for "ready" (Isa 41:7); "I have no good beyond thee" for "My goodness extendeth not to thee" (Ps 16:2); "goodly" for "good" (Ps 45:1); "good" for "goodness" (Ps 107:9); "good" for "well" (Zec 8:15).

Tubh means something good, e.g. "the good of the land" (Ge 45:18,20; De 6:11; Job 21:16, the Revised Version (British and American) "prosperity").

YaTabh, "to do good," occurs several times, as, I will surely do thee good" (Ge 32:12); "to do good" (Le 5:4); "Make your ways and your doings good," the Revised Version (British and American) "amend" (Jer 18:11; Ze 1:12, etc.). Numerous other Hebrew words are rendered "good" in various verbal connections and otherwise, as "to bring good tidings" (2Sa 4:10; Isa 40:9, etc.); "take good heed" (De 2:4; 4:15; Jos 23:11); "make good" (Ex 21:34), etc.; "good will" (ratson, De 33:16; Mal 2:13); "what good?" the Revised Version (British and American) "what advantages?" (kishron, Ec 5:11); "good for nothing," the Revised Version (British and American) "profitable" (tsaleah, Jer 13:10), etc. In Jer 18:4, "as seemed good to the potter," the word is yahsar, which means literally, "right."

(2) In the New Testament the words most frequently translated "good" are agathos and kalos. The former, agathos, denotes good as a quality, physical or moral. Thus, "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good" (Mt 5:45); "good gifts" (Mt 7:11); "Good Master (the Revised Version (British and American) "Teacher") .... Why callest thou me good? none is good save one" (Mr 10:17 f; Lu 18:18 f; compare Mt 19:16 f); "they that have done good" (Joh 5:29). Sometimes it is equivalent to "kind" (thus Tit 2:5 the Revised Version (British and American)); to agathon is "that which is good" (Lu 6:45; Ro 7:13; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:13), etc.; "that which is honest," the Revised Version (British and American) "honorable " (2Co 13:7); "meet" (Mt 15:26; Mr 7:27); "worthy," the Revised Version (British and American) "honorable" (Jas 2:7); agathon is "a good thing," as "good things to them that ask him" (Mt 7:11); Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (Joh 1:46), etc.; agathoergeo (1Ti 6:18), and agathopoieo (Mr 3:4; Ac 14:17), etc., "to do good."

Kalos is properly, "beautiful," "pleasing," "useful," "noble," "worthy" in a moral sense, e.g. "that they may see your good works" (Mt 5:16); "She hath wrought a good work on me" (Mt 26:10; Mr 14,6); "the good shepherd" (Joh 10:11,14); "Many good works have I showed you" (Joh 10:32); "good and acceptable before God" (1Ti 5:4; the Revised Version (British and American) omits "good"); "the good fight" (2Ti 4:7); "good works" (Tit 2:7); "the good word of God" (Heb 6:5). But it is often practically equivalent to agathos, e.g. "good fruit" (Mt 3:10); "good ground" (Mt 13:23); "good seed" (Mt 13:24); but the idea of useful may underlie such expressions; to kalon is properly "that which is beautiful." It occurs in Ro 7:18,21; 1Th 5:21, "Hold fast that which is good." In Ro 7 it seems to be used interchangeably with to agathon. In Ro 5:7, "the good man" (ho agathos) is distinguished from "a righteous man" (dikaios): "For the good man some one would even dare to die" (compare Ro 7:16; Heb 5:14; Jas 4:17); kalos, "well," "pleasantly," is translated "good" (Lu 6:27; Jas 2:3); kalodidaskalos (Tit 2:3), "teachers of good things," the Revised Version (British and American) "of that which is good."

"Good" occurs in the rendering of many other Greek words and phrases, as eudokia, "good pleasure" (Eph 1:9); "good will" (Lu 2:14; Php 1:15); sumphero, "to bear together," "not good to marry" (Mt 19:10), the Revised Version (British and American) "expedient"; philagathos, "a lover of good" (Tit 1:8); chrestologia, "good words" (Ro 16:18, the Revised Version (British and American) "smooth speech," etc.).

The following changes in the Revised Version (British and American) may be noted. In Lu 2:14 for "men of good will" (eudokia) the Revised Version (British and American) reads "in whom he is well pleased," margin "good pleasure among men, Greek men of good pleasure." The meaning is "men to whom God is drawing nigh in goodwill or acceptance"; compare Lu 4:19, "the acceptable year of the Lord"; 4:43, "Preach the good tidings of the kingdom of God." In Mt 11:5; Lu 4:43; 7:22; 1Pe 1:25 and (American Standard Revised Version) Re 14:6 "the gospel" is changed into "good tidings." In Mt 18:8 f; Mr 9:43,15,47; Lu 5:39, good is substituted for "better"; on the last passage in notes "Many authorities read `better' "; in 1Co 9:15 "good .... rather" for "better"; "good" is substituted in Lu 1:19; 8:1 and Ac 13:32 for "glad"; in Ac 6:3 for "honest"; in Heb 13:9 for "a good thing." In 2Th 1:11, all the good pleasure of his goodness" becomes "every desire of goodness" (m "Gr good pleasure of goodness"); in 1Ti 3:2, "good" (kosmios) becomes "orderly." There are many other instances of like changes.

See GOODNESS; GOOD, CHIEF.

W. L. Walker

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. a. 1. Advantageous, beneficial, useful, profitable, serviceable. 2. Suitable, fit, proper, convenient, well adapted. 3. Virtuous, upright, religious, pious, righteous, worthy, dutiful. 4. Excellent, valuable, precious, sterling, capital, admirable. 5. Kind, benevolent, humane, friendly, favorable, gracious, merciful, obliging, well-disposed. 6. Unblemished, unimpeached, untarnished, unsullied, immaculate, fair, honorable. 7. Companionable, social, genial, lively, cheerful. 8. Able, skilful, ready, expert, dexterous, well qualified. 9. Competent (pecuniarily), of established credit). 10. Pleasant, agreeable, gratifying, cheering. 11. Considerable, tolerably great, pretty large. 12. Real, true, serious, unfeigned. II. n. 1. Benefit, advantage, profit, gain, utility. 2. Welfare, weal, prosperity, interest. 3. Righteousness, virtue, excellence, moral qualities. 4. Just actions, moral works. 5. Abundance, richness, best fruits.

Moby Thesaurus

Christian, Christlike, Christly, Daedalian, God-fearing, OK, Roger, Sunday, able to pay, absolutely, acceptable, accomplished, according to Hoyle, ace, actual, adept, adequate, admirable, admissible, adroit, advantage, advantageous, advisable, affable, affectionate, agreeable, all right, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-seeing, all-wise, allowable, almighty, alright, alrighty, amazing, ambrosial, amen, amiable, amicable, ample, angelic, appropriate, approving, apt, artistic, as you say, assets, assuredly, attractive, auspicious, authentic, authoritative, avail, aye, bad, balanced, barely sufficient, becoming, befitting, behalf, behoof, believable, belongings, benediction, beneficent, beneficial, benefit, benevolent, benign, benignant, benignantly, benignly, benison, best, binding, blameless, blessing, blissful, bon, bona fide, bonny, boon, boundless, bracing, brave, bravura, braw, bright, brilliant, brotherly, bueno, by all means, candid, capital, card-carrying, careful, certainly, champion, changeless, charitable, chaste, chattels, cheerful, choice, clean, clever, cloth, cogent, commendable, commensurate, commodities, company, compassionate, compatible, compelling, competent, complaisant, complete, complimentary, condign, congenial, congruous, considerable, considerate, consistent, constitutional, consumable, convenient, convincing, coordinated, cordial, correct, corresponding, crack, crackerjack, cracking, creating, creative, credible, creditable, crucial, cunning, cute, da, daedal, dainty, decent, decorous, defensible, deft, delectable, delicate, delicious, delightful, dependable, deserved, desirable, dexterous, dextrous, dinkum, diplomatic, due, dulcet, edible, effects, elegant, elevated, en rapport, encomiastic, enjoyable, enough, enthusiastic, equal to, equitable, erect, established, esteemed, estimable, eternal, eternally the same, ethical, eulogistic, even, evenhanded, everlasting, exactly, excellent, exemplary, expedient, expert, exquisite, extensive, extraordinary, fab, fabric, fabulous, fair, fair and pleasant, fair and square, famous, fancy, fantastic, favorable, favorably, favoring, feasible, felicific, felicitous, fine, first-class, first-rate, fit, fitten, fitting, flattering, following the letter, fortunate, fraternal, freight, fresh, friendly, fructuous, full, full of integrity, full of promise, gain, gear, genial, gentle, genuine, gifted, glorious, godlike, godly, godly-minded, godsend, golden, good enough, good for, good to eat, good-hearted, good-tasting, goodish, goodly, goodness, goods, graceful, gracious, grand, grateful, gratifying, great, groovy, gustable, gusty, hallowed, handy, happy, harmonious, health-enhancing, health-preserving, healthful, healthy, hear, heart-warming, heavenly, helpful, high-minded, high-mindedness, high-principled, highest, highly respectable, holy, holy-minded, honest, honest-to-God, honesty, honeyed, honorable, honorableness, human, humane, humanely, humanly, hygeian, hygienic, immaculate, immortal, immutable, inartificial, indeed, indeedy, infinite, ingenious, integrity, interest, invigorating, inviolate, irreproachable, ja, juicy, just, just so, justifiable, justified, kind, kindhearted, kindheartedly, kindly, kindly-disposed, knockout, kosher, lares and penates, large, laudable, laudatory, law-abiding, law-loving, law-revering, lawful, legal, legitimate, level, lifelike, likable, likely, limitless, line, literal, lofty, logical, loving, lucky, luminous, luscious, lush, magisterial, mais oui, majestic, making, manly, masterful, masterly, material, meet, meet and right, mellifluous, mellow, merchandise, merciful, merit, merited, minimal, minimum, moral, morality, most assuredly, movables, natural, naturalistic, naturally, naturellement, neat, nectareous, nectarous, needed, nice, nicely, no mean, nobility, noble, normal, normative, numinous, obedient, of course, of good omen, of gourmet quality, of happy portent, of promise, okay, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, one, opportune, orderly, original, otherworldly, oui, outstanding, palatable, paraphernalia, passable, penetrating, permanent, permissible, perpetual, personal property, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, pleasureful, plenty, plenty good enough, politic, positive, positively, possessions, precisely, principled, probity, produce, professional, proficient, profit, profitable, promising, proper, propitious, proportionate, prosperity, prosperous, pure, pure in heart, purehearted, quick, quite, quite some, radiant, rather, ready, real, realistic, really, recommendable, rectitude, refreshing, regal, reliable, reputable, resourceful, respectable, respected, rewarding, right, right and proper, right-minded, righteous, righteousness, rightful, righto, royal, sacred, safe, saintlike, saintly, salubrious, salutary, sanitary, sapid, satisfactory, satisfying, savorous, savory, scrumptious, seasonable, secure, see you later, seemly, self-consistent, sensible, seraphic, serious, shapely, shaping, simon-pure, simple, sincere, sizable, sizeable, skilled, skillful, slick, smart, smashing, softhearted, softheartedly, solicitous, solid, solvent, some, sortable, sound, sovereign, spiritual, spiritual-minded, splendid, spotless, square, stainless, statesmanlike, sterling, stock, straight, stuff, stylish, substantial, succulent, sufficient, sufficient for, sufficing, suitable, superb, superior, supreme, sure, sure thing, sure-enough, surely, sweet, sympathetic, sympathizing, tactful, talented, tangibles, tasty, tender, tenderhearted, tenderheartedly, terrific, textile, the compleat, the complete, things, thorough, timeless, timely, to be desired, to be sure, tolerable, tonic, toothsome, toward, true to life, true to nature, true to reality, true-dealing, true-devoted, true-disposing, true-souled, true-spirited, truehearted, truly, trustworthy, ubiquitous, unadulterated, unaffected, unassumed, unassuming, unbelievable, unblemished, unbounded, unchanging, uncolored, unconcocted, uncopied, uncorrupt, uncorrupted, uncounterfeited, undefiled, undefined, undisguised, undisguising, undistorted, unearthly, unexaggerated, unfabricated, unfanciful, unfeigned, unfeigning, unfictitious, unflattering, unimagined, unimitated, unimpeachable, unindebted, uninvented, unlimited, unpretended, unpretending, unqualified, unromantic, unsimulated, unspecious, unspotted, unstained, unsullied, unsynthetic, untarnished, unvarnished, unworldly, up to, upright, uprighteous, upstanding, use, useful, usefulness, valid, vendibles, verbal, verbatim, veridical, verisimilar, very good, very well, virtue, virtuoso, virtuous, virtuousness, wares, warm, warmhearted, warmheartedly, warmly, warrantable, warranted, weighty, welcome, welfare, well, well and good, well-behaved, well-being, well-disposed, well-done, well-founded, well-grounded, well-mannered, well-proportioned, well-thought-of, well-timed, wholesome, why yes, wicked, wise, wonderful, word-for-word, workmanlike, world of good, worth, worthwhile, worthy, yard goods, yea, yeah, yeomanly, yep, yes, yes indeed, yes indeedy, yes sir, yes sirree, yummy