Good vs. Proper — What's the Difference?

In most contexts, the concept of good denotes the conduct that should be preferred when posed with a choice between possible actions. Good is generally considered to be the opposite of evil, and is of interest in the study of morality, ethics, religion and philosophy.

Denoting something that is truly what it is said or regarded to be; genuine

To be desired or approved of

Of the required or correct type or form; suitable or appropriate

Having the required qualities; of a high standard

Belonging or relating exclusively or distinctively to; particular to

Possessing or displaying moral virtue

In the natural colours.

Giving pleasure; enjoyable or satisfying

(of a person) good-looking

Thorough

Denoting a subset or subgroup that does not constitute the entire set or group, especially one that has more than one element.

Valid

Satisfactorily or correctly

Used in conjunction with the name of God or a related expression as an exclamation of extreme surprise or anger

The part of a church service that varies with the season or feast

That which is morally right; righteousness

Characterized by appropriateness or suitability; fitting

Benefit or advantage to someone or something

Called for by rules or conventions; correct

Merchandise or possessions

Strictly following rules or conventions, especially in social behavior; seemly

Well

Belonging to one; own

Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor

Characteristically belonging to the being or thing in question; peculiar

Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing

Being within the strictly limited sense, as of a term designating something

Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable

(Ecclesiastical) For use in the liturgy of a particular feast or season of the year.

Not spoiled or ruined

(Mathematics) Of or relating to a subset of a given set when the set has at least one element not in the subset.

In excellent condition; sound

Worthy of the name; true

Superior to the average; satisfactory

Out-and-out; thorough

Used formerly to refer to the US Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.

Thoroughly

Of high quality

The portion of the liturgy that varies according to the particular feast or season of the year.

Discriminating

Suitable.

Of moral excellence; upright

Suited or acceptable to the purpose or circumstances; fit, suitable.

Benevolent; kind

Following the established standards of behavior or manners; correct or decorous.

Loyal; staunch

Possessed, related.

Well-behaved; obedient

(grammar) Used to designate a particular person, place, or thing. Proper nouns are usually written with an initial capital letter.

Socially correct; proper

Pertaining exclusively to a specific thing or person; particular.

Worthy of respect; honorable

In the strict sense; within the strict definition or core (of a specified place, taxonomic order, idea, etc).

Attractive; handsome

Belonging to oneself or itself; own.

Beneficial to health; salutary

(heraldry) Portrayed in natural or usual coloration, as opposed to conventional tinctures.

Competent; skilled

(mathematics) Being strictly part of some other thing (not necessarily explicitly mentioned, but of definitional importance), and not being the thing itself.

Complete; thorough

Eigen-; designating a function or value which is an eigenfunction or eigenvalue.

Reliable; sure

Accurate, strictly applied.

Valid or true

Excellent, of high quality; such as the specific person or thing should ideally be. (Now often merged with later senses.)

Genuine; real

Attractive, elegant.

In effect; operative

In the very strictest sense of the word.

Ready or able for a specified or assumed activity

Utter, complete.

Able to pay or contribute

Properly; thoroughly; completely.

Able to elicit a specified reaction

Properly.

Ample; substantial

(obsolete) Something set apart for a special use.

Bountiful

(Christianity) A part of the Christian liturgy that varies according to the date.

Full

Belonging to one; one's own; individual.

Pleasant; enjoyable

Belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common; particular; as, every animal has his proper instincts and appetites.

Propitious; favorable

Befitting one's nature, qualities, etc.; suitable in all respect; appropriate; right; fit; decent; as, water is the proper element for fish; a proper dress.

Landing within bounds or within a particular area of a court and therefore in play

Becoming in appearance; well formed; handsome.

Passing between the uprights of the goal and therefore scoring, as a field goal in football.

Pertaining to one of a species, but not common to the whole; not appellative; - opposed to common; as, a proper name; Dublin is the proper name of a city.

Used to form exclamatory phrases expressing surprise or dismay

Rightly so called; strictly considered; as, Greece proper; the garden proper.

Something that is good.

Represented in its natural color; - said of any object used as a charge.

A good, valuable, or useful part or aspect.

Properly; hence, to a great degree; very; as, proper good.

Welfare; benefit

Marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness;

Goodness; virtue

Limited to the thing specified;

A product that is bought and sold

Appropriate for a condition or occasion;

Goods Portable personal property.

Having all the qualities typical of the thing specified;

(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Fabric; material.

Goods(Slang) Incriminating information or evidence

Well.

(of people)

Acting in the interest of what is beneficial, ethical, or moral.

Competent or talented.

Able to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; of unimpaired credit; used with for.

Well-behaved (especially of children or animals).

(US) Satisfied or at ease; not requiring more.

Accepting of, OK with

(archaic) Of high rank or birth.

(of capabilities)

Useful for a particular purpose; functional.

Effective.

(obsolete) Real; actual; serious.

(properties and qualities)

(of food)

Of food or other perishable products, still fit for use; not yet expired, stale, rotten, etc.

Valid, of worth, capable of being honoured.

True, valid, of explanatory strength.

Healthful.

Pleasant; enjoyable.

Favourable.

Unblemished; honourable.

Beneficial; worthwhile.

Adequate; sufficient; not fallacious.

Very, extremely. See good and.

(colloquial) Ready

Holy especially when capitalized .

(of quantities)

Reasonable in amount.

Large in amount or size.

Full; entire; at least as much as.

That is good; an elliptical exclamation of satisfaction or commendation.

(nonstandard) Well; satisfactorily or thoroughly.

(uncountable) The forces or behaviours that are the enemy of evil. Usually consists of helping others and general benevolence.

(countable) A result that is positive in the view of the speaker.

(uncountable) The abstract instantiation of goodness; that which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.

An item of merchandise.

To thrive; fatten; prosper; improve.

(transitive) To make good; turn to good; improve.

(intransitive) To make improvements or repairs.

(intransitive) To benefit; gain.

(transitive) To do good to (someone); benefit; cause to improve or gain.

(transitive) To satisfy; indulge; gratify.

(reflexive) To flatter; congratulate oneself; anticipate.

To furnish with dung; manure; fatten with manure; fertilise.

Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc.

Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; - said of persons or actions.

Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; - often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto.

Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; - followed especially by for.

Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; - followed especially by at.

Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary ability; of unimpaired credit.

Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth.

Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc.

Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.

Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc.

That which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.; - opposed to evil.

Advancement of interest or happiness; welfare; prosperity; advantage; benefit; - opposed to harm, etc.

Wares; commodities; chattels; - formerly used in the singular in a collective sense. In law, a comprehensive name for almost all personal property as distinguished from land or real property.

Well, - especially in the phrase as good, with a following as expressed or implied; equally well with as much advantage or as little harm as possible.

To make good; to turn to good.

To manure; to improve.

Benefit;

Moral excellence or admirableness;

That which is good or valuable or useful;

Having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified;

Having the normally expected amount;

Morally admirable

Deserving of esteem and respect;

Promoting or enhancing well-being;

Superior to the average;

Agreeable or pleasing;

Of moral excellence;

Having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude;

Thorough;

With or in a close or intimate relationship;

Having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others;

Financially sound;

Most suitable or right for a particular purpose;

Resulting favorably;

Exerting force or influence;

Feeling healthy and free of aches and pains;

Capable of pleasing;

Appealing to the mind;

In excellent physical condition;

Tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health;

Not forged;

Not left to spoil;

Generally admired;

(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');

In a complete and thorough manner (`good' is sometimes used informally for `thoroughly');