good vs well :

good or well

You do something well, but a thing is good. The exception is verbs of sensation in phrases such as “the pie smells good,” or “I feel good.” Despite the arguments of nigglers, this is standard usage. Saying “the pie smells well” would imply that the pastry in question had a nose. Similarly, “I feel well” is also acceptable, especially when discussing health; but it is not the only correct usage.

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Definitions

  • n  benefit
    for your own good
    what's the good of worrying?
  • n  moral excellence or admirableness
    there is much good to be found in people
  • n  that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
    weigh the good against the bad
    among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization
  • n  articles of commerce
  • a  having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
    good news from the hospital
    a good report card
    when she was good she was very very good
    a good knife is one good for cutting
    this stump will make a good picnic table
    a good check
    a good joke
    a good exterior paint
    a good secretary
    a good dress for the office
  • s  having the normally expected amount
    gives good measure
    a good mile from here
  • a  morally admirable
  • s  deserving of esteem and respect
    ruined the family's good name
  • s  promoting or enhancing well-being
    the experience was good for her
  • s  agreeable or pleasing
    we all had a good time
    good manners
  • s  of moral excellence
    a genuinely good person
  • s  having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
    a good mechanic
  • s  thorough
    had a good workout
    gave the house a good cleaning
  • s  with or in a close or intimate relationship
    a good friend
  • s  financially sound
    a good investment
  • s  most suitable or right for a particular purpose
    a good time to plant tomatoes
  • s  resulting favorably
    it's a good thing that I wasn't there
    it is good that you stayed
  • s  exerting force or influence
    a warranty good for two years
  • s  capable of pleasing
    good looks
  • s  appealing to the mind
    good music
  • s  in excellent physical condition
    good teeth
    I still have one good leg
  • s  tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
    a good night's sleep
  • s  not forged
    a good dollar bill
  • s  not left to spoil
    the meat is still good
  • s  generally admired
    good taste
  • r  (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well')
    the baby can walk pretty good
  • r  completely and absolutely (`good' is sometimes used informally for `thoroughly')
    we beat him good

  • n  a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine
  • n  a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
  • n  an abundant source
    she was a well of information
  • n  an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)
  • n  an enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding something as e.g. fish or a plane's landing gear or for protecting something as e.g. a ship's pumps
  • v  come up, as of a liquid
    Tears well in her eyes
    the currents well up
  • a  in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury; at least I feel well"
    appears to be entirely well
    the wound is nearly well
    a well man
    I think I'm well
  • s  resulting favorably
    it is well that no one saw you
    all's well that ends well
  • s  wise or advantageous and hence advisable
    it would be well to start early
  • r  (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well')
    the children behaved well
    a task well done
    the party went well
    he slept well
    a well-argued thesis
    a well-seasoned dish
    a well-planned party
  • r  thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form
    The problem is well understood
    she was well informed
    shake well before using
    in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked
    well-done beef", "well-satisfied customers
    well-educated
  • r  indicating high probability; in all likelihood
    I might well do it
    you may well need your umbrella
    he could equally well be trying to deceive us
  • r  (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully
    a book well worth reading
    was well aware of the difficulties ahead
    suspected only too well what might be going on
  • r  to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree
    the project was well underway
    the fetus has well developed organs
    his father was well pleased with his grades
  • r  favorably; with approval
    their neighbors spoke well of them
    he thought well of the book
  • r  to a great extent or degree
    I'm afraid the film was well over budget
  • r  with great or especially intimate knowledge
    we knew them well
  • r  with prudence or propriety
    You would do well to say nothing more
    could not well refuse
  • r  with skill or in a pleasing manner
    she dances well
    he writes well
  • r  in a manner affording benefit or advantage
    she married well
  • r  in financial comfort
    They live well
  • r  without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor
    took the joke well
    took the tragic news well
News & Articles

  • Good economic news buoys stocks
    NEW YORK - Good news about hiring and spending at retail businesses helped send the U.S. stock market sharply higher Thursday.
    June 14, 2013 - The Philadelphia Inquirer
  • Good Bull Voicemail - Rivalry Talk
    Good Bull Voicemail - Rivalry Talk
    June 13, 2013 - WPXI Pittsburgh
  • Good Day/Weather and notes for the Guernsey County area
    Good day! Nice Friday with periods of sunshine. Highs in the upper 70s. Details on page A-10. Rodgers & Hammerstein's Some Enchanted Evening will be presented on June 14 -15 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Living Word Outdoor Drama, Cambridge.
    June 13, 2013 - The Daily Jeffersonian