(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 ~ time together...
I know they would have a better life here...
There’s nothing better than a ~ cup of hot coffee...
It’s so ~ 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 ~ food...
His parents wanted Raymond to have the best possible education...
...~ quality furniture.
? poor
ADJ
3.
If you are ~ at something, you are skilful and successful at doing it.
He was very ~ at his work...
I’m not very ~ at singing...
He is one of the best players in the world...
I always played football with my older brother because I was ~ 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 ~, you mean that it is likely to result in benefit or success.
On balance biotechnology should be ~ news for developing countries...
I had the ~ fortune to be selected...
This is not a ~ example to set other children...
I think the response was ~.
? bad
ADJ: usu ADJ n
5.
A ~ idea, reason, method, or decision is a sensible or valid one.
They thought it was a ~ idea to make some offenders do community service...
There is ~ 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 ~ that something should happen or ~ to do something, you mean it is desirable, acceptable, or right.
I think it’s ~ 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 ~ estimate or indication of something is an accurate one.
We have a fairly ~ 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 ~ guide to what happens in the world.
? poor
ADJ: usu ADJ n
8.
If you get a ~ deal or a ~ price when you buy or sell something, you receive a lot in exchange for what you give.
Whether such properties are a ~ deal will depend on individual situations...
The merchandise is reasonably priced and offers exceptionally ~ value.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
9.
If something is ~ for a person or organization, it benefits them.
Rain water was once considered to be ~ 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 ~ of a person or organization, it is done in order to benefit them.
Furlaud urged him to resign for the ~ of the country...
I’m only telling you this for your own ~!
= benefit
N-SING: with poss
11.
If someone or something is no ~ or is not any ~, they are not satisfactory or are of a low standard.
If the weather’s no ~ then I won’t take any pictures...
I was never any ~ at maths.
N-UNCOUNT: with brd-neg
12.
If you say that doing something is no ~ or does not do any ~, you mean that doing it is not of any use or will not bring any success.
It’s no ~ worrying about it now...
We gave them water and kept them warm, but it didn’t do any ~...
There is no way to measure these effects; the chances are it did some ~.
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 ~ is morally correct in their attitudes and behaviour.
The president is a ~ 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 ~ obeys rules and instructions and behaves in a socially correct way.
The children were very ~...
I’m going to be a ~ boy now...
Both boys had ~ manners, politely shaking hands.
? bad
ADJ
16.
Someone who is ~ is kind and thoughtful.
You are ~ to me...
Her ~ intentions were thwarted almost immediately...
ADJ
17.
Someone who is in a ~ mood is cheerful and pleasant to be with.
People were in a pretty ~ mood...
He exudes natural charm and ~ humour...
A relaxation session may put you in a better frame of mind.
? bad
ADJ: usu ADJ n
18.
If people are ~ friends, they get on well together and are very close.
She and Gavin are ~ friends...
She’s my best friend, and I really love her.
ADJ: ADJ n
19.
A person’s ~ 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 ~ to emphasize the great extent or degree of something.
We waited a ~ fifteen minutes...
This whole thing’s got a ~ bit more dangerous.
ADJ: a ADJ n emphasis
21.
You say ‘Good’ or ‘Very ~’ 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 ~, Tom’s just come in...
CONVENTION
22.
see also best , better , ~s
23.
‘As ~ as’ can be used to mean ‘almost.’
His career is as ~ as over...
The vote as ~ as kills the chance of real reform.
= practically
PHRASE: v-link PHR adj/-ed/v
24.
If you say that something will do someone ~, you mean that it will benefit them or improve them.
The outing will do me ~...
It’s probably done you ~ to get away for a few hours...
You don’t do anybody any ~ by getting yourself arrested.
PHRASE: V inflects, oft it PHR if/to-inf
25.
If something changes or disappears for ~, it never changes back or comes back as it was before.
The days of big-time racing at Herne Hill had gone for ~...
A few shots of this drug cleared up the disease for ~.
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 ~ thing, or in British English it’s a ~ job, that something is the case, you mean that it is fortunate.
It’s a ~ thing you aren’t married...
It’s a ~ job it happened here rather than on the open road.
PHRASE: V inflects
28.
If you make ~ 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 ~ the damage.
= put right
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
29.
If someone makes ~ a threat or promise or makes ~ on it, they do what they have threatened or promised to do. (mainly AM)
Certain that he was going to make ~ his threat to kill her, she lunged for the gun...
He was confident the allies would make ~ on their pledges.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n, PHR on n
30.
If you say that something or someone is as ~ as new, you mean that they are in a very ~ condition or state, especially after they have been damaged or ill.
I only ever use that on special occasions so it’s as ~ as new...
In a day or so he will be as ~ as new.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR
31.
You use ~ 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.
~ deal: see deal
in ~ faith: see faith
so far so ~: see far
~ as gold: see gold
~ gracious: see gracious
~ grief: see grief
~ heavens: see heaven
~ job: see job
~ lord: see lord
for ~ measure: see measure
the ~ old days: see old
in ~ shape: see shape
to stand someone in ~ stead: see stead
in ~ time: see time
too ~ to be true: see true