good

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense focuses on the movement and logistics of items rather than their commercial value. Often appears in transport, shipping, and logistics contexts. Frequently used with verbs like 'transport', 'carry', 'ship', 'load', and 'unload'.

Often used in question or negative constructions: 'what's the good of…?' or 'there's no good in…'. The pattern 'for the good of + noun' emphasises benefit to a group or cause rather than an individual.

Distinguish from sense 5: this sense refers to a stable state of health (you are already well), while sense 5 refers to an improvement or beneficial effect on health. Typically appears in the phrase 'for the good of one's health/body'.

Frequently appears in philosophical, religious, and literary contexts. Often paired with 'evil' in the fixed phrase 'good and evil'. Cannot be used with a possessive determiner ('my good', 'their good') in this sense — use senses 3–5 for personal benefit.

Always used with the definite article 'the'. The verb that follows can be singular or plural, but plural is more common in modern English: 'the good are…' rather than 'the good is…'. This sense is most common in religious, philosophical, and literary contexts.

A fixed phrase — always use 'for good'. Cannot be shortened to just 'good' or expanded to 'for the good'. In informal British English, the longer form 'for good and all' is also possible, though less common. The phrase usually appears at the end of the clause.

Except for 'goodbye' itself, these expressions use 'good' in front of a time-related noun (morning, afternoon, evening, night, day). 'Good morning/good afternoon/good evening' are used as greetings, not farewells.

In this sense, 'good' is usually used after verbs like 'be', 'feel', 'look', or 'keep'. It is not commonly placed before a noun — 'healthy' or 'well' are more natural in attributive position (e.g., 'a healthy child' not 'a good child').

This is an informal American usage that has become common worldwide. In more formal or traditional British English, 'I'm well, thank you' or 'I'm fine, thank you' are more common. Do NOT use this pattern to answer other questions — only as a reply to 'How are you?' or similar health/greeting questions.

When placed before a noun ('good shoes', 'good teaching'), this sense focuses on the object or activity meeting a standard. The exact standard depends on context — what counts as 'good' for a pair of shoes differs from what counts as 'good' for a camera.

This sense is used as a single-word or short-phrase exclamation. Unlike other senses of 'good', it is not followed by a subject and verb — it stands alone as a reaction. 'Good for you' is slightly more personal, praising the person rather than the action.

Commonly paired with 'at' + gerund (good at swimming) for skills, or 'with' + noun (good with children) for handling people or objects. As a premodifier (a good teacher), the meaning focuses on competence rather than general quality.

Typically appears in set expressions: 'get off to a good start', 'make a good start', or 'a good start to/in/on'. Can be used with both activities (a project) and periods (a day, a year).

Distinguish from sense 7 (GOOD AT): 'good to me' means 'kind towards me', while 'good at music' means 'skilled in music'. The phrase 'good of [person]' always looks back at something kind already done.

This is a fixed formal pattern. The two main formulas are 'Would you be good enough to…' and 'Would you be so good as to…'. Both are much more formal than 'Could you please…'. Rare in everyday American English; somewhat more common in British English in service settings.

Distinguish from sense 10 (KIND): sense 10 describes a person's general character ('She is good to her parents'), while sense 12 refers to a specific kind action that has already happened ('It was good of her to drive him home'). Sense 12 commonly follows expressions of thanks or praise.

Common in discussions of ethics, religion, and personal character. Frequently appears in fixed phrases such as 'good deeds', 'good works', and 'the common good'.

Almost always followed by 'for' + noun phrase. The object is typically something related to health, well-being, or improvement. Very common in everyday advice and medical contexts.

Very common when speaking to or about children and pets, especially as a polite command ('Be good!'). Also used in parent–teacher contexts. Close synonym: 'well-behaved'.

Common in financial contexts (good credit, good investment, good risk) and interpersonal contexts (good friend, good word). Frequently used in business and banking. Distinguish from sense 15 (BEHAVIOUR), which is about obedience rather than trustworthiness.

Often followed by 'for' (good for hiking) or paired with a noun (good time, good place, good idea). Very common in everyday suggestions and recommendations. Compare with sense 14 (POSITIVE) — sense 14 is about health benefit, while sense 17 is about appropriateness for a purpose.

Only used before a noun or in fixed phrases. Cannot be used alone (*'The amount was good' in this sense). The key patterns are 'a good many' (countable), 'a good deal of' (uncountable), 'a good number of', and 'a good few'. These are relatively formal and common in written English.

Only used in the fixed phrase 'a good deal'. Cannot be shortened to just 'good' in this sense (*'I like it good' does not mean 'a lot'). Functions as an adverb, so it modifies verbs (changed a good deal) or comparative adjectives (a good deal more).

Always followed by a specific measurement or quantity — not used with vague nouns (*'a good amount of time'). Common with time (a good hour), distance (a good mile), weight (a good five pounds), price (a good fifty dollars), and duration of experience (a good ten years). The tone is slightly informal.

Common as a polite refusal in service contexts (waiters, shop assistants, hosts). 'I'm good' is less formal than 'No, thank you' and sounds more natural in casual conversation. Also appears as 'be good with' meaning 'be satisfied with' arrangements.