D defs.my
Menu ☰
Entry 16 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Good

/go͝od/ · IPA /ɡʊd/
01 a. Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; exc…
  1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 7.
    Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth.
    “Love no man in good earnest.” — Shak.
  8. 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. 9.
    Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.
    “Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.” — Luke vi. 38.
  10. 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.
    “The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all.” — L'Estrange.
    “Distinguished by good humor and good breeding.” — Macaulay.
    “My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing.” — Ld. Lytton.
    “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.
    “The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place.” — Lord Eldon.
    “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.
    “If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.” — Zech. xi. 12.
02 n. That which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.; …
  1. 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. 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. 3.
    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.
    “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.
Phrases & compounds
Dress goods — See in the Vocabulary.
Goods engine — a freight locomotive.
Goods train — a freight train.
Goods wagon — a freight car [Eng.] See the Note under Car, n., 2.
03 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 …
  1. 1.
    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.
    “They who counsel ye to such a suppressing, do as good as bid ye suppress yourselves.” — Milton.
Phrases & compounds
As good as — in effect; virtually; the same as.
04 v. t. To make good; to turn to good.
  1. 1.
    To make good; to turn to good.[Obs.]
  2. 2.
    To manure; to improve.[Obs.]