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what good

idiom

Definition of what good

—used to say that one does not think that something is helpful, useful, or worth doing
  • What good is a college education when you can't get a job after you graduate?
  • What good does it do to bring an umbrella along if you are only going to leave it in the car?
  • I could try talking to him, but what good would that do/be? He has already made up his mind.

Word by Word Definitions

what play

  1. used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity, nature, or value of an object or matter

  2. often used to ask for repetition of an utterance or part of an utterance not properly heard or understood

  3. : who

  1. : why

  2. : in what respect : how

  1. used as an interrogative expressing inquiry about the identity, nature, or value of a person, object, or matter

  2. : how remarkable or striking for good or bad qualities

  3. : whatever

See the full definition of what
good play

  1. : of a favorable character or tendency

  2. : bountiful, fertile

  3. : handsome, attractive

  1. : something that is good

  2. : something conforming to the moral order of the universe

  3. : praiseworthy character : goodness

  1. : well

  2. used as an intensive

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