Great vs. Good — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 8, 2024
Great implies exceptional quality or degree, surpassing good, which denotes satisfactory or competent levels.
Difference Between Great and Good
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Greatness encompasses qualities or achievements beyond the ordinary, often implying superiority and exceptional merit. In contrast, goodness signifies a standard level of quality or morality, meeting expectations without necessarily exceeding them.
While "great" suggests a level of excellence that stands out distinctly in comparison to others, "good" refers to a more moderate or acceptable standard. For instance, a "great" work of art is one that transcends time and influence, whereas a "good" work of art is competent and pleasing but may not achieve the same level of recognition or impact.
In the realm of personal achievement or character, being great often involves a significant impact or contribution, such as being a great leader. On the other hand, being good is commendable but does not carry the same weight of influence or exceptionalism.
The distinction also applies in everyday language usage, where "great" is used to express higher enthusiasm or approval compared to "good." For example, describing a meal as "great" implies a more memorable and satisfying experience than simply calling it "good."
The transition from good to great involves surpassing ordinary standards or expectations, moving towards excellence or outstanding quality. This journey can be seen in various contexts, from personal development to professional achievements and creative works.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Meeting basic standards or expectations; satisfactory.
Exceptional in quality, degree, or performance; superior.
Connotation
Adequate, competent, satisfactory.
Outstanding, exceptional, superior.
Usage
Used to describe satisfactory but not exceptional status.
Used to denote a higher level of quality or achievement.
Impact
Good implies competence and reliability.
Great implies a significant, memorable impact.
Personal Growth
Being good is an admirable quality.
Being great involves surpassing the norm and excelling.
Compare with Definitions
Great
Acceptable or satisfactory quality.
The food at the diner is good for its price and convenience.
Good
High level of skill or achievement.
His expertise in the field is great, recognized by peers and industry alike.
Great
Competence in performance.
He is a good player, contributing consistently to the team's efforts.
Good
Exceptional quality or degree.
Her latest novel is great, offering profound insights and compelling storytelling.
Great
Adequacy and reliability.
The project's results were good, meeting all the outlined objectives efficiently.
Good
Superiority and outstanding performance.
As a great leader, she inspired significant positive changes in the organization.
Great
General approval or positivity.
His response to the crisis was good, managing to stabilize the situation.
Good
Remarkable or memorable impact.
The concert was great, leaving an unforgettable impression on the audience.
Great
Moral virtue or commendable behavior.
She is known for her good heart and willingness to help others.
Good
Enthusiastic approval or praise.
That was a great effort, going above and beyond what was expected.
Great
Very large in size, extent, or intensity
A great pile of rubble.
A great storm.
Good
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.
Great
Of a larger size than other, similar forms
The great anteater.
Good
To be desired or approved of
Good! The more people the better!
A good quality of life
It's good that he's back to his old self
Great
Large in quantity or number
A great throng awaited us.
Good
Having the required qualities; of a high standard
His marks are just not good enough
A good restaurant
Great
Extensive in time or distance
A great delay.
A great way off.
Good
Possessing or displaying moral virtue
Her father was a good man
Great
Remarkable or outstanding in magnitude, degree, or extent
A great crisis.
Great anticipation.
Good
Giving pleasure; enjoyable or satisfying
The streets fill up with people looking for a good time
Great
Of outstanding significance or importance
A great work of art.
Good
Thorough
Now is the time to have a really good clear-up
Have a good look around
Great
Chief or principal
The great house on the estate.
Good
Valid
The ticket is good for travel from May to September
Great
Superior in quality or character; noble
A great man who dedicated himself to helping others.
Good
Used in conjunction with the name of God or a related expression as an exclamation of extreme surprise or anger
Good heavens!
Great
Powerful; influential
One of the great nations of the West.
Good
That which is morally right; righteousness
A mysterious balance of good and evil
Great
Eminent; distinguished
A great leader.
Good
Benefit or advantage to someone or something
He is too clever for his own good
He convinces his father to use his genius for the good of mankind
The preservation of old buildings matters because they contribute to the general public good
Great
Very good; first-rate
We had a great time at the dance.
Good
Merchandise or possessions
Imports of luxury goods
The market price of an agricultural good
Stolen goods
Great
Very skillful
She is great at algebra.
Good
Well
I'm feeling pretty good, all things considered
My mother could never cook this good
Great
Enthusiastic
A great lover of music.
Good
Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
A good experience.
Good news from the hospital.
Great
Being one generation removed from the relative specified. Often used in combination
A great-granddaughter.
Good
Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing
A good exterior paint.
A good joke.
Great
(Archaic) Pregnant.
Good
Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable
Is this a good dress for the party?.
Great
Pl. greats or great One that is great
A composer considered among the greats.
Good
Not spoiled or ruined
The milk is still good.
Great
A division of most pipe organs, usually containing the most powerful ranks of pipes.
Good
In excellent condition; sound
A good tooth.
Great
A similar division of other organs.
Good
Superior to the average; satisfactory
A good student.
Great
Very well
Got along great with the teacher.
Good
Used formerly to refer to the US Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.
Great
Used as an intensive with certain adjectives
A great big kiss.
Good
Of high quality
Good books.
Great
(augmentative) Large, senior high-ranking, intense, extreme, or exceptional
Good
Discriminating
Good taste.
Great
Relatively large in scale, size, extent, number (i.e. having many parts or members) or duration (i.e. relatively long); very big.
A great storm is approaching our shores.
A great assembly
A great wait
Good
Of moral excellence; upright
A good person.
Great
Title referring to an important leader.
Alexander the Great
Good
Benevolent; kind
A good soul.
A good heart.
Great
Of larger size or more importance than others of its kind.
The great auk
Good
Loyal; staunch
A good Republican.
Great
(informal) Very good; excellent; wonderful; fantastic.
Dinner was great.
Good
Well-behaved; obedient
A good child.
Great
Intensifying a word or expression, used in mild oaths.
A dirty great smack in the face
Great Scott!
Good
Socially correct; proper
Good manners.
Great
(qualifying nouns of family relationship) Involving more generations than the qualified word implies — as many extra generations as repetitions of the word great (from 1510s). [see Derived terms]
Great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, great-great-great-grandfather
Good
Worthy of respect; honorable
Ruined the family's good name.
Great
Pregnant; large with young; full of.
Great with child
Great with hope
Good
Attractive; handsome
Good looks.
Great
Intimate; familiar.
Good
Beneficial to health; salutary
A good night's rest.
Great
Extreme or more than usual.
Great worry
Good
Competent; skilled
A good machinist.
Great
Of significant importance or consequence; important.
A great decision
Good
Complete; thorough
A good workout.
Great
(applied to actions, thoughts and feelings) Arising from or possessing idealism; admirable; superior; commanding; heroic; illustrious; eminent.
A great deed
A great nature
A great history
Good
Reliable; sure
A good investment.
Great
Impressive or striking.
A great show of wealth
Good
Valid or true
A good reason.
Great
Much in use; favoured.
Poetry was a great convention of the Romantic era.
Good
Genuine; real
A good dollar bill.
Great
(applied to persons) Endowed with extraordinary powers; of exceptional talents or achievements; uncommonly gifted; able to accomplish vast results; remarkable; strong; powerful; mighty; noble.
A great hero, scholar, genius, philosopher, writer etc.
Good
In effect; operative
A warranty good for two years.
A driver's license that is still good.
Great
Doing or exemplifying (a characteristic or pursuit) on a large scale; active or enthusiastic.
What a great buffoon!
He's not a great one for reading.
A great walker
Good
Ready or able for a specified or assumed activity
I'm good for another round of golf.
Great
(often followed by 'at') Skilful or adroit.
A great carpenter
You are great at singing.
Good
Able to pay or contribute
Is she good for the money that you lent her?.
Great
Expression of gladness and content about something.
Great! Thanks for the wonderful work.
Good
Able to elicit a specified reaction
He is always good for a laugh.
Great
Sarcastic inversion thereof.
Oh, great! I just dumped all 500 sheets of the manuscript all over and now I have to put them back in order.
Good
Ample; substantial
A good income.
Great
A person of major significance, accomplishment or acclaim.
Newton and Einstein are two of the greats of the history of science.
Good
Bountiful
A good table.
Great
(music) The main division in a pipe organ, usually the loudest division.
Good
Full
It is a good mile from here.
Great
(in combinations such as "two-greats", "three-greats" etc.) An instance of the word "great" signifying an additional generation in phrases expressing family relationships.
My three-greats grandmother.
Good
Pleasant; enjoyable
Had a good time at the party.
Great
(informal) Very well in a very satisfactory manner.
Those mechanical colored pencils work great because they don't have to be sharpened.
Good
Propitious; favorable
Good weather.
A good omen.
Great
Large in space; of much size; big; immense; enormous; expanded; - opposed to small and little; as, a great house, ship, farm, plain, distance, length.
Good
Landing within bounds or within a particular area of a court and therefore in play
The first serve was wide, but the second was good.
Great
Large in number; numerous; as, a great company, multitude, series, etc.
Good
Passing between the uprights of the goal and therefore scoring, as a field goal in football.
Great
Long continued; lengthened in duration; prolonged in time; as, a great while; a great interval.
Good
Used to form exclamatory phrases expressing surprise or dismay
Good heavens! Good grief!.
Great
Superior; admirable; commanding; - applied to thoughts, actions, and feelings.
Good
Something that is good.
Great
Endowed with extraordinary powers; uncommonly gifted; able to accomplish vast results; strong; powerful; mighty; noble; as, a great hero, scholar, genius, philosopher, etc.
Good
A good, valuable, or useful part or aspect.
Great
Holding a chief position; elevated: lofty: eminent; distinguished; foremost; principal; as, great men; the great seal; the great marshal, etc.
He doth object I am too great of birth.
Good
Welfare; benefit
For the common good.
Great
Entitled to earnest consideration; weighty; important; as, a great argument, truth, or principle.
Good
Goodness; virtue
There is much good to be found in people.
Great
Pregnant; big (with young).
The ewes great with young.
Good
A product that is bought and sold
Frozen goods.
Great
More than ordinary in degree; very considerable in degree; as, to use great caution; to be in great pain.
We have allGreat cause to give great thanks.
Good
Goods Portable personal property.
Great
Older, younger, or more remote, by single generation; - often used before grand to indicate one degree more remote in the direct line of descent; as, great-grandfather (a grandfather's or a grandmother's father), great-grandson, etc.
Good
(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Fabric; material.
Great
The whole; the gross; as, a contract to build a ship by the great.
Good
Goods(Slang) Incriminating information or evidence
Tried to get the goods on the crook.
Great
Relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind;
A great juicy steak
A great multitude
The great auk
A great old oak
A great ocean liner
A great delay
Good
Well.
Great
More than usual;
Great expectations
Great worry
Good
(of people)
Great
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation;
Our distinguished professor
An eminent scholar
A great statesman
Good
Acting in the interest of what is beneficial, ethical, or moral.
Good intentions
Great
Of major significance or importance;
A great work of art
Einstein was one of the outstanding figures of the 20th century
Good
Competent or talented.
A good swimmer
Great
Remarkable or out of the ordinary in degree or magnitude or effect;
A great crisis
Had a great stake in the outcome
Good
Able to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; of unimpaired credit; used with for.
Can you lend me fifty dollars? You know I'm good for it.
Great
Very good;
He did a bully job
A neat sports car
Had a great time at the party
You look simply smashing
Good
Well-behaved (especially of children or animals).
Be good while your mother and I are out.
Were you a good boy for the babysitter?
Great
Uppercase;
Capital A
Great A
Many medieval manuscripts are in majuscule script
Good
(US) Satisfied or at ease; not requiring more.
Would you like a glass of water? — I'm good.
[Are] you good? — Yeah, I'm fine.
Gimme another beer! — I think you're good.
Great
Marked by active interest and enthusiasm;
An avid sports fan
A great walker
An eager beaver
Good
Accepting of, OK with
My mother said she's good with me being alone with my date as long as she's met them first.
The soup is rather spicy. Are you good with that, or would you like something else?
Great
In an advanced stage of pregnancy;
Was big with child
Was great with child
Good
(archaic) Of high rank or birth.
Good
(of capabilities)
Good
Useful for a particular purpose; functional.
It’s a good watch;
The flashlight batteries are still good
Good
Effective.
A good worker
Good
(obsolete) Real; actual; serious.
In good sooth
Good
(properties and qualities)
Good
(of food)
Good
Of food or other perishable products, still fit for use; not yet expired, stale, rotten, etc.
The bread is still good.
Good
Valid, of worth, capable of being honoured.
This coupon is good for a free doughnut.
Good
True, valid, of explanatory strength.
This theory still holds good even if much higher temperatures are assumed.
Good
Healthful.
Exercise and a varied diet are good for you.
Good
Pleasant; enjoyable.
We had a good time.
Good
Favourable.
A good omen;
Good weather
Good
Unblemished; honourable.
A person's good name
Good
Beneficial; worthwhile.
A good job
Good
Adequate; sufficient; not fallacious.
Good
Very, extremely. See good and.
The soup is good and hot.
Good
(colloquial) Ready
I'm good when you are.
The reports are good to go.
Good
Holy especially when capitalized .
Good Friday, Good Wednesday, the Good Book
Good
(of quantities)
Good
Reasonable in amount.
All in good time
Good
Large in amount or size.
A good while longer;
A good number of seeds;
A good part of his day was spent shopping.
It will be a good while longer until he's done.
He's had a good amount of troubles, he has.
Good
Full; entire; at least as much as.
This hill will take a good hour and a half to climb.
The car was a good ten miles away.
Good
That is good; an elliptical exclamation of satisfaction or commendation.
Good! I can leave now.
Good
(nonstandard) Well; satisfactorily or thoroughly.
The boy done good. (did well)
Good
(uncountable) The forces or behaviours that are the enemy of evil. Usually consists of helping others and general benevolence.
Good
(countable) A result that is positive in the view of the speaker.
Good
(uncountable) The abstract instantiation of goodness; that which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.
The best is the enemy of the good.
He is an influence for good on those girls.
Good
An item of merchandise.
Good
To thrive; fatten; prosper; improve.
Good
(transitive) To make good; turn to good; improve.
Good
(intransitive) To make improvements or repairs.
Good
(intransitive) To benefit; gain.
Good
(transitive) To do good to (someone); benefit; cause to improve or gain.
Good
(transitive) To satisfy; indulge; gratify.
Good
(reflexive) To flatter; congratulate oneself; anticipate.
Good
To furnish with dung; manure; fatten with manure; fertilise.
Good
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.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
Good company, good wine, good welcome.
Good
Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; - said of persons or actions.
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.
Good
Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; - often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto.
The men were very good unto us.
Good
Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; - followed especially by for.
All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit.
Good
Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; - followed especially by at.
He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor.
Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else.
Good
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.
My reasons are both good and weighty.
My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond.
Good
Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth.
Love no man in good earnest.
Good
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.
Good
Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.
Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.
Good
Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc.
A good name is better than precious ointment
The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all.
Distinguished by good humor and good breeding.
My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing.
The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character.
The young count's good nature and easy persuadability were among his best characteristics.
The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place.
Each word made good and true.
Of no power to make his wishes good.
I . . . would by combat make her good.
Convenient numbers to make good the city.
If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.
Good
That which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.; - opposed to evil.
There be many that say, Who will show us any good ?
Good
Advancement of interest or happiness; welfare; prosperity; advantage; benefit; - opposed to harm, etc.
The good of the whole community can be promoted only by advancing the good of each of the members composing it.
Good
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.
He hath made us spend much good.
Thy lands and goodsAre, by the laws of Venice, confiscateUnto the state of Venice.
Good
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.
As good almost kill a man as kill a good book.
They who counsel ye to such a suppressing, do as good as bid ye suppress yourselves.
Good
To make good; to turn to good.
Good
To manure; to improve.
Good
Benefit;
For your own good
What's the good of worrying?
Good
Moral excellence or admirableness;
There is much good to be found in people
Good
That which is good or valuable or useful;
Weigh the good against the bad
Among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization
Good
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
Good
Having the normally expected amount;
Gives full measure
Gives good measure
A good mile from here
Good
Morally admirable
Good
Deserving of esteem and respect;
All respectable companies give guarantees
Ruined the family's good name
Good
Promoting or enhancing well-being;
An arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries
The beneficial effects of a temperate climate
The experience was good for her
Good
Superior to the average;
In fine spirits
A fine student
Made good grades
Morale was good
Had good weather for the parade
Good
Agreeable or pleasing;
We all had a good time
Good manners
Good
Of moral excellence;
A genuinely good person
A just cause
An upright and respectable man
The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous
Good
Having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude;
Adept in handicrafts
An adept juggler
An expert job
A good mechanic
A practiced marksman
A proficient engineer
A lesser-known but no less skillful composer
The effect was achieved by skillful retouching
Good
Thorough;
Had a good workout
Gave the house a good cleaning
Good
With or in a close or intimate relationship;
A good friend
My sisters and brothers are near and dear
Good
Having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others;
His benevolent smile
A benevolent nature
Good
Financially sound;
A good investment
A secure investment
Good
Most suitable or right for a particular purpose;
A good time to plant tomatoes
The right time to act
The time is ripe for great sociological changes
Good
Resulting favorably;
Its a good thing that I wasn't there
It is good that you stayed
It is well that no one saw you
All's well that ends well
Good
Exerting force or influence;
The law is effective immediately
A warranty good for two years
The law is already in effect (or in force)
Good
Feeling healthy and free of aches and pains;
I feel good
Good
Capable of pleasing;
Good looks
Good
Appealing to the mind;
Good music
A serious book
Good
In excellent physical condition;
Good teeth
I still have one good leg
A sound mind in a sound body
Good
Tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health;
Beneficial effects of a balanced diet
A good night's sleep
The salutary influence of pure air
Good
Not forged;
A good dollar bill
Good
Not left to spoil;
The meat is still good
Good
Generally admired;
Good taste
Good
(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-planned party
The baby can walk pretty good
Good
In a complete and thorough manner (`good' is sometimes used informally for `thoroughly');
He was soundly defeated
We beat him good
Common Curiosities
What makes something great?
Something becomes great when it exhibits exceptional quality, achieves a high degree of excellence, or makes a significant impact.
Is greatness always better than goodness?
While greatness is often seen as superior due to its exceptional nature, goodness has its own value, especially in terms of reliability and morality.
What defines something as good?
Something is defined as good when it meets basic standards or expectations in quality, morality, or performance.
Can something be good but not great?
Yes, many things are good because they meet the required standards but do not reach the exceptional level that would make them great.
How does one move from being good to great?
Moving from good to great involves surpassing satisfactory levels to achieve exceptional performance, impact, or quality.
Can everyday actions be considered great?
Yes, everyday actions can be considered great if they have a profound positive impact on others or exemplify exceptional virtue.
How does society benefit from greatness?
Society benefits from greatness through advancements, inspirational examples of excellence, and contributions that drive positive change.
Can the distinction between good and great change over time?
Yes, perceptions of what constitutes good and great can evolve with changing standards, experiences, and societal values.
Does greatness require innovation?
Often, greatness involves innovation, but it can also arise from excellence in execution or significant contribution within established domains.
How is greatness recognized?
Greatness is recognized through outstanding achievements, significant impact, and widespread acknowledgment or acclaim.
How do personal values influence perceptions of good and great?
Personal values play a significant role in defining what individuals consider good or great, shaping judgments about quality, morality, and excellence.
Are good and great mutually exclusive?
No, they are not mutually exclusive; something can be good in certain aspects while being great in others.
Is it important to strive for greatness?
While striving for greatness can lead to exceptional achievements, it's also important to recognize the value of goodness in fostering a balanced and fulfilling life.
What role does effort play in achieving greatness?
Effort is crucial in achieving greatness; it requires dedication, persistence, and a commitment to surpassing ordinary standards.
Can the pursuit of greatness be harmful?
The pursuit of greatness can be harmful if it leads to excessive pressure, neglect of personal well-being, or unethical behavior to achieve exceptional status.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
