good

³good

adv

Definition of GOOD

1

: well <he showed me how good I was doing — Herbert Gold>

2

—used as an intensive <a good long time>

Usage Discussion of GOOD

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.

Examples of GOOD

1. Things have been going good lately.
2. The team is doing good this year.
3. “How did you hit the ball today?” “Good.”
4. The other team whipped us good.

First Known Use of GOOD

13th century

Related to GOOD

Synonyms: acceptably, adequately, all right, alright, creditably, decently, fine, well, middlingly, nicely, OK (or okay), passably, respectably, satisfactorily, serviceably, so-so, sufficiently, tolerably

Antonyms: bad, badly, deficiently, ill, inadequately, insufficiently, intolerably, poorly, unacceptably, unsatisfactorily

Related Words: appropriately, aptly, congruously, correctly, decorously, felicitously, fittingly, happily, meetly, rightly, seemly, suitably; gratifyingly, satisfyingly; effectively, effectually, efficiently, neatly, tidily

Near Antonyms: unbearably; inappropriately, incorrectly, indecently, unsuitably; awfully, deplorably, disastrously, dreadfully, horrendously, horribly, horridly, miserably, terribly

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