What is good? Pronunciation and usage in English

good means . Learn how to pronounce and use good through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of good

goodadjective

/ɡʊd/
Definition & pronunciation of good

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "good" in English. It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and correct pronunciation is:

  • /ɡʊd/ (This is the way it's typically pronounced in American English)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. "g": This is pronounced like the "guh" sound, just like in "goat" or "gift." It's a voiced "g" – your vocal cords vibrate.

  2. "oo": This is a short, rounded "oo" sound, like the "oo" in "moon" or "foot." It's important to round your lips as you say it.

  3. "d": This is pronounced like a regular "d" – a simple, voiced "d" (your vocal cords vibrate).

Putting it together: It sounds like "guhd."

Here's a breakdown of some common errors and how to avoid them:

  • Don't say "good" like "wood." The vowel sound is completely different.
  • Don't over-emphasize the first syllable. It’s a fairly even pronunciation.
  • Don’t add an "r" at the end. (Some people in certain areas do, but it’s not standard.)

Resources to help you hear it:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/good/ - This website allows you to hear native speakers pronounce the word in various accents.
  • Google Translate: Type "good" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What accent are you aiming for? (e.g., American, British, Australian?)

Usage and examples with the word good in English

Let's break down how to use the word "good" in English. It's a super versatile word, but its meaning and usage can vary quite a bit! Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. As an Adjective (Describing Qualities): This is the most common way to use "good."

  • General Positive Quality: This is the broadest usage. It simply means something is pleasing, beneficial, or of high quality.

    • “That was a good book.” (meaning enjoyable)
    • “She’s a good student.” (meaning hardworking and intelligent)
    • “He’s a good person.” (meaning kind, honest, and moral)
    • “This coffee is good.” (meaning tasty)

  • Excellent/Very Good: Used to express a higher degree of positive quality.

    • “That’s a good idea!” (meaning a very good idea)
    • “He played a good game.” (meaning he played exceptionally well)
    • “She’s a good singer.” (meaning she’s a very skilled singer)

  • Describing Skills/Abilities:

    • “He’s good at math.”
    • “She’s good at cooking.”
    • “They’re good at problem-solving.”

  • Describing Health:

    • “I feel good today.” (meaning healthy and energetic)
    • “She’s in good health.”

2. As an Adverb (Modifying Verbs): Less common, but still used.

  • In a positive way: Adds emphasis to a positive action or state.
    • “He did good work.” (This is grammatically correct, though less common than “He did good work.” It's better to say "He did well.")
    • “She speaks good English.” (meaning she speaks English fluently and correctly) – Again, “She speaks well” is more natural.

3. As an Exclamation:

  • Expressing Approval/Agreement: Used to show you approve of something or agree with someone.
    • “Good morning!”
    • “Good luck!”
    • “Good to see you!”
    • “Good for you!” (used to express approval/praise)

4. In Phrases & Idioms:

  • "Good job!" – Expressing praise for someone’s work.
  • "Good news!" – Expressing that news is positive.
  • "Good to know!" – Expressing that you appreciate the information.
  • "Good as gold" – Meaning someone is well-behaved.
  • "A good deed" – An act of kindness.

Important Notes & Considerations:

  • "Well" vs. "Good": Many people confuse "good" and "well." "Good" is generally an adjective (describing a noun). "Well" is generally an adverb (describing a verb).

    • Incorrect: “He is good at singing.” Correct: “He sings well.”
    • Incorrect: “She did good.” Correct: “She did well.”

  • Regional Differences: Usage can vary slightly by region, but the rules above are generally applicable.

  • Formal vs. Informal: "Good" is perfectly acceptable in almost any situation, but "great," "fantastic," or "excellent" might be seen as slightly more formal.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you wanting to use "good" for? (e.g., describing a person, praising a performance, as an exclamation?)

Synonyms for the word good

Idioms of the word good

as good as
very nearly
  • The matter is as good as settled.
  • He as good as called me a coward (= suggested that I was a coward without actually using the word ‘coward’).
  • She’s as good as won.
as good as it gets
used when you are saying that a situation is not going to get any better
    be good to go
    (of a thing) to be prepared and ready for use; (of a person) to be prepared and ready to do something
    • By tomorrow afternoon the document will be good to go.
    • I’ve spent several months training for this race so now I’m good to go.
    good and…
    (informal)completely
    • I won't go until I'm good and ready.
    a good few
    several
    • There are still a good few empty seats.
    good for you, somebody, them, etc.
    (informal)used to praise somebody for doing something well
    • ‘I passed first time.’ ‘Good for you!’
    a good many
    a lot of somebody/something
    • There were a good many people there.

    Comment ()