Good Synonyms | Collins English Thesaurus
1
(adjective)
in the sense of
excellent
Definition
positive moral qualities
You should read this book – it’s really good.
Synonyms
excellent
great
(informal)
It’s a great film; you must see it.
fine
pleasing
a pleasing personality
capital
(old-fashioned)
They had a capital time in London.
choice
The finest array of choicest foods is to be found within their Food Hall.
crucial
(slang)
acceptable
pleasant
a pleasant surprise
worthy
first-class
divine
splendid
The book includes a wealth of splendid photographs.
satisfactory
superb
a superb 18-hole golf course
enjoyable
the most enjoyable part of the holiday
awesome
(slang)
dope
(slang)
sick
(slang)
world-class
He was determined to become a world-class tennis player.
admirable
The film tells its story with admirable economy.
agreeable
super
(informal)
We had a super time.
pleasurable
the most pleasurable experience of the evening
wicked
(slang)
bad
(slang)
first-rate
They were dealing with a first-rate professional.
tiptop
bitchin’
(US
, slang)
booshit
(Australian
, slang)
exo
(Australian
, slang)
sik
(Australian
, slang)
rad
(informal)
phat
(slang)
schmick
(Australian
, informal)
The band launch their schmick new CD next week.
beaut
(informal)
barrie
(Scottish
, slang)
belting
(British
, slang)
pearler
(Australian
, slang)
Opposites
bad
,
boring
,
awful
,
dull
,
inadequate
,
unpleasant
,
rotten
,
pathetic
,
tedious
,
disagreeable
2
(adjective)
in the sense of
fine
He enjoys good food and fine wine.
Synonyms
fine
This is a fine book.
excellent
We complimented him on doing an excellent job.
superior
He’s got a superior car, and it’s easy to win races that way.
first-class
first-rate
choice
Opposites
terrible
,
inferior
,
lousy
,
bad quality
3
(adjective)
in the sense of
proficient
Definition
competent or talented
He is very good at his job.
Synonyms
proficient
Many Egyptians are proficient in foreign languages.
able
They are bright, intelligent, able and confident.
skilled
skilled workers, such as plumbers
capable
She’s a very capable administrator.
expert
The faces of the waxworks are modelled by expert sculptors.
talented
He is a talented pianist.
efficient
a highly efficient worker
clever
My father was very clever with his hands.
accomplished
one of the most accomplished authors of our time
reliable
first-class
satisfactory
I never got a satisfactory answer.
competent
He was a loyal and very competent civil servant.
thorough
tasty
(British
, informal)
adept
He is an adept guitar player.
first-rate
adroit
She is a remarkably adroit politician.
dexterous
the composer’s dextrous manipulation of pauses and silence
Opposites
bad
,
useless
,
pathetic
,
incompetent
,
inefficient
,
unsatisfactory
,
unskilled
4
(adjective)
in the sense of
positive
Biotechnology should be good news for developing countries.
Synonyms
positive
He said that the agreement could be a positive sign.
beneficial
favourable
favourable weather conditions
advantageous
auspicious
His career had an auspicious start.
propitious
the most propitious moment to launch the campaign
Opposites
negative
,
inauspicious
,
unpropitious
,
unfavourable
,
disadvantageous
5
(adjective)
in the sense of
sensible
They thought it was a good idea to make some offenders do community service.
Synonyms
sensible
It might be sensible to get a solicitor.
useful
wise
She had made a very wise decision.
valuable
The experience was very valuable.
suitable
worthwhile
The study did not produce any worthwhile results.
constructive
shrewd
prudent
We believed ours was the prudent and responsible course of action.
sound
commendable
judicious
The President authorizes the judicious use of military force.
well-thought-out
well-reasoned
6
(adjective)
in the sense of
desirable
I think it’s good that some people are going.
Synonyms
desirable
Prolonged negotiation was not desirable.
pleasing
a pleasing view
positive
Working abroad should be a positive experience.
productive
a productive relationship
satisfying
I find wood carving satisfying.
beneficial
constructive
Both men described the talks as frank, friendly and constructive.
gratifying
advantageous
7
(adjective)
in the sense of
clear
I have a fairly good idea of what’s going on.
Synonyms
clear
It is important to be clear on what the author is saying here.
correct
The information was correct at the time of going to press.
accurate
a more accurate description of the terrain
exact
I can’t remember the exact words he used.
precise
We will never know the precise details of his death.
definite
It’s too soon to give a definite answer.
8
(adjective)
in the sense of
profitable
I got a good price for the house.
Synonyms
profitable
Car manufacturing is the most profitable business in America.
fair
He had a fair command of English.
reasonable
The boy answered him in reasonable French.
adequate
One in four people are without adequate homes.
lucrative
Many of them have found lucrative jobs in private security firms.
9
(adjective)
in the sense of
beneficial
Definition
beneficial
Rain water was once considered to be good for the complexion.
Synonyms
beneficial
vitamins which are beneficial to health
useful
The police gained useful information about the organisation.
healthy
a healthy diet
helpful
It is often helpful to have someone with you when you get bad news.
favourable
wholesome
The food was filling and wholesome.
advantageous
Free exchange of goods was advantageous to all.
salutary
Going to therapy was a salutary experience.
salubrious
your salubrious lochside hotel
Opposites
damaging
,
harmful
,
detrimental
,
injurious
10
(adjective)
in the sense of
honourable
Definition
morally excellent
The president is a good man.
Synonyms
honourable
I believe she is an honourable person.
moral
The committee members are moral, competent people.
worthy
worthy members of the community
ethical
Would it be ethical to lie to save a person’s life?
upright
a very upright, trustworthy man
admirable
honest
My dad was the most honest man I have ever met.
righteous
She concluded that it was impossible to find one righteous person.
exemplary
He showed outstanding and exemplary courage in the face of danger.
right
It’s not right, leaving her like this.
virtuous
The president is portrayed as a virtuous family man.
trustworthy
altruistic
praiseworthy
praiseworthy efforts
estimable
an estimable cricket team with two members holding world records
Opposites
bad
,
base
,
evil
,
corrupt
,
improper
,
immoral
,
dishonest
,
sinful
,
dishonourable
11
(adjective)
in the sense of
well-behaved
Definition
obedient or well-behaved
The children have been very good all day.
Synonyms
well-behaved
The children have been surprisingly well-behaved all day.
seemly
It wasn’t seemly for them to be seen together.
mannerly
He was gentle of speech, mannerly and concerned about impressions.
proper
In those days it was not thought proper for a woman to be on the stage.
polite
He was a quiet and very polite young man.
orderly
The organizers guided them in orderly fashion out of the building.
obedient
dutiful
decorous
The politician was wearing a suitably decorous expression.
well-mannered
She is a well-mannered, polite child.
Opposites
rude
,
naughty
,
mischievous
,
ill-mannered
12
(adjective)
in the sense of
kind
Definition
kindly or generous
It’s very good of you to help out at such short notice.
Synonyms
kind
He was a very kind man, full of common sense.
kindly
He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.
friendly
He has been friendly to me.
obliging
He was a most polite and obliging young man.
charitable
Some people take a less charitable view of his behaviour.
humane
Their aim is for a more just and humane society.
gracious
He is always a gracious host.
benevolent
a most benevolent employer
merciful
We can only hope the court is merciful.
beneficent
In 1909 nuns were running more than 1,000 beneficent institutions.
well-disposed
kind-hearted
He was a warm, generous and kind-hearted man.
Opposites
mean
(informal)
,
cruel
,
vicious
,
selfish
,
wicked
,
unkind
13
(adjective)
in the sense of
cheerful
Everyone was in a pretty good mood.
Synonyms
cheerful
The room is bright and cheerful.
happy
I’m just happy to be back running.
pleasant
He was most anxious to seem agreeable and pleasant.
agreeable
I’ve gone out of my way to be agreeable to his friends.
congenial
The food at the party was excellent, and the company congenial.
convivial
Enjoy simple but satisfying food in the bistro’s convivial atmosphere.
14
(adjective)
in the sense of
true
Definition
reliable or recommended
She’s been a good friend to me over the years.
Synonyms
true
I allowed myself to acknowledge my true feelings.
real
No, it wasn’t a dream. It was real.
genuine
They are convinced the painting is genuine.
proper
Two out of five people do not have a proper job.
reliable
She was efficient and reliable.
dependable
He was a good friend and a dependable companion.
sound
They are trained nutritionists who can give sound advice on diets.
trustworthy
He is a trustworthy, level-headed teacher.
dinkum
(Australian
, New Zealand
, informal)
He was a fair dinkum bloke with no pretensions.
15
(adjective)
in the sense of
full
Definition
fairly large, extensive, or long
The film lasts a good two and a half hours.
Synonyms
full
Full details will be sent to you.
long
Her legs were long and thin.
whole
I have now read the whole book.
complete
the complete works of Shakespeare
entire
Treatment is more effective if the entire family is involved.
solid
Some solid evidence was what was required.
extensive
The story generated extensive comment on social media.
Opposites
short
,
scant
16
(adjective)
in the sense of
considerable
Definition
complete or thorough
A good number of people agree with me.
Synonyms
considerable
We have already spent a considerable amount of money on repairs.
large
In a large room about a dozen children are sitting on the carpet.
substantial
That is a very substantial improvement in the current situation.
sufficient
There was not sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
adequate
an amount adequate to purchase another house
ample
He was asleep with his arms crossed on his ample stomach.
17
(adjective)
in the sense of
valid
Can you think of one good reason why I should tell you?
Synonyms
valid
For foreign holidays you will need a valid passport.
convincing
compelling
legitimate
They have demanded the restoration of the legitimate government.
authentic
patterns for making authentic border-style clothing
persuasive
a persuasive argument against reform
sound
bona fide
We are happy to donate to bona fide charitable causes.
Opposites
false
,
invalid
,
fraudulent
,
phoney
18
(adjective)
in the sense of
best
Definition
newest or of the best quality
Try not to get paint on your good clothes.
Synonyms
best
He was the best player in the world for most of the 1950s.
newest
special
finest
nicest
smartest
fancy
most valuable
most precious
19
(adjective)
in the sense of
sunny
If the weather’s good tomorrow, we’ll go for a picnic.
Synonyms
sunny
The weather was surprisingly warm and sunny.
clear
Most places will be dry with clear skies.
fair
Weather conditions were fair.
bright
the bright winter sky
calm
The normally calm waters of Mururoa lagoon heaved and frothed.
mild
The area is famous for its mild winters.
clement
The area is usually known for its clement weather.
halcyon
The next day dawned sunny with a halcyon blue sky.
balmy
a balmy summer’s evening
cloudless
sunshiny
20
(adjective)
in the sense of
edible
Is this fish still good, or has it gone off?
Synonyms
edible
Are these mushrooms edible?
untainted
uncorrupted
eatable
The haggis was eatable, rather like unflavoured mince.
fit to eat
Opposites
off
,
bad
,
decayed
,
rotten
,
mouldy
21
(adjective)
in the sense of
convenient
Definition
appropriate or opportune
Is this a good time for us to discuss our plans?
Synonyms
convenient
She will try to arrange a mutually convenient time for an interview.
timely
These outbreaks are a timely reminder that the disease persists.
fitting
The President’s address was a fitting end to the campaign.
fit
You’re not fit to be in charge of this company.
appropriate
It is appropriate that Irish names dominate the list.
suitable
She had no other dress suitable for the occasion.
well-timed
One well-timed word from you may be all it takes to change his mind.
opportune
(formal)
I have arrived at a very opportune moment.
Opposites
inappropriate
,
unfitting
,
unsuitable
,
inconvenient
,
unbefitting
1
(noun)
in the sense of
benefit
Definition
advantage or benefit
I’m only doing all this for your own good.
Synonyms
benefit
I’m a great believer in the benefits of this form of therapy.
interest
Did the Directors act in the best interests of their club?
gain
He buys art solely for financial gain.
advantage
A good crowd will be a definite advantage to the team.
use
There’s no use you asking me any more questions about that.
service
We were delighted to be of service.
profit
They saw little profit in risking their lives to capture the militants.
welfare
Above all we must consider the welfare of the children.
behalf
avail
His efforts were to no avail.
usefulness
His interest lay in the usefulness of his work.
wellbeing
Opposites
harm
,
loss
,
disadvantage
,
detriment
,
ill-fortune
2
(noun)
in the sense of
virtue
Definition
positive moral qualities
Good and evil may co-exist within one family.
Synonyms
virtue
His mother was held up to the family as a paragon of virtue.
goodness
He retains his faith in human goodness.
righteousness
adopting a tone of moral righteousness
worth
Her boss did not appreciate her true worth until she quit.
merit
Box-office success mattered more than artistic merit.
excellence
a school once noted for its academic excellence
morality
an effort to preserve traditional morality
probity
(formal)
a woman renowned for her moral probity
rectitude
people of the utmost rectitude
uprightness
a contest in which courage and uprightness win through
Opposites
evil
,
corruption
,
cruelty
,
dishonesty
,
wickedness
,
immorality
,
meanness
,
badness
,
baseness
phrase
See
for good
idioms
See
in good part
See
make good
See
make good on something
Quotations
Mostly, we are good when it makes sense. A good society is one that makes sense of being good
– Enduring Love]
Being good is just a matter of temperament in the end
– The Nice and the Good]
No one can be good for long if goodness is not in demand
– The Good Woman of Setzuan]
`For your own good’ is a persuasive argument that will eventually make a man agree to his own destruction
– Faces in the Water]
No people do so much harm as those who go about doing good
– Life]
Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame
– Epilogue to the Satires]
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