Good vs. Fair: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 29, 2023
"Good" indicates a high quality or standard, often above average, while "fair" typically suggests adequacy, impartiality, or a medium quality
Key Differences
"Good" is used to express approval or satisfaction, denoting a positive quality. "Fair," however, often implies just adequacy, neither very good nor bad.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
In evaluations, "good" signifies a higher level of performance or quality. "Fair" is used to indicate that something meets basic expectations without excelling.
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Dec 29, 2023
"Good" often carries moral or ethical connotations of virtue. In contrast, "fair" is used to denote neutrality, equality, and justice.
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Dec 29, 2023
What is considered "good" can vary greatly based on personal preferences. The term "fair," however, leans towards a more objective assessment, based on agreed standards.
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Dec 29, 2023
"Good" is a versatile word, used in various contexts. "Fair" is more specific, often linked to justice, beauty, or weather conditions.
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Dec 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
General Meaning
High quality or standard.
Adequate, impartial, or medium quality.
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Dec 29, 2023
Moral Connotation
Often implies virtue or excellence.
Implies neutrality, equality, justice.
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Dec 29, 2023
Use in Evaluations
Indicates above-average performance.
Suggests basic, sufficient standards.
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Dec 29, 2023
Subjectivity
Can vary based on personal opinion.
More objective, based on set standards.
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Dec 29, 2023
Common Contexts
Broadly used in various contexts.
Often linked to fairness, beauty, weather.
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Dec 29, 2023
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Good and Fair Definitions
Good
Signifying something of high quality.
The food at this restaurant is really good.
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Dec 29, 2023
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Good
Advantageous for health or well-being.
Regular exercise is good for health.
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Dec 29, 2023
Fair
Of pleasing appearance, especially because of a pure or fresh quality; comely.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
A good experience.
Good news from the hospital.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing
A good exterior paint.
A good joke.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable
Is this a good dress for the party?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial
A fair mediator.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Just to all parties; equitable
A compromise that is fair to both factions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Used formerly to refer to the US Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Being in accordance with relative merit or significance
She wanted to receive her fair share of the proceeds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Moderately good; acceptable or satisfactory
Gave only a fair performance of the play.
In fair health.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Superficially true or appealing; specious
Don't trust his fair promises.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
To join (pieces) so as to be smooth, even, or regular
Faired the aircraft's wing into the fuselage.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
A gathering for the buying and selling of goods, often held at a particular time and place; a market
We attended the annual book fair.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
An exhibition of home or farm products and skills, usually with competitions and entertainments
My pumpkin won first prize at the county fair.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
An exhibition intended to inform people about a product or business opportunity
A computer fair.
A job fair.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
An event, usually for the benefit of a charity or public institution, including entertainment and the sale of goods; a bazaar
A church fair.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Beautiful, of a pleasing appearance, with a pure and fresh quality.
Monday's child is fair of face.
There was once a knight who wooed a fair young maid.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
In effect; operative
A warranty good for two years.
A driver's license that is still good.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Unblemished (figuratively or literally); clean and pure; innocent.
One's fair name
After scratching out and replacing various words in the manuscript, he scribed a fair copy to send to the publisher.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Ready or able for a specified or assumed activity
I'm good for another round of golf.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Light in color, pale, particularly with regard to skin tone but also referring to blond hair.
She had fair hair and blue eyes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Able to pay or contribute
Is she good for the money that you lent her?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Adequate, reasonable, or decent, but not excellent.
Their performance has been only fair.
The patient was in a fair condition after some treatment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.
A fair sky;
A fair day
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unencumbered; open; direct; said of a road, passage, etc.
A fair mark;
In fair sight;
A fair view
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(shipbuilding) Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Taken direct from an opponent's foot, without the ball touching the ground or another player.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Passing between the uprights of the goal and therefore scoring, as a field goal in football.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Used to form exclamatory phrases expressing surprise or dismay
Good heavens! Good grief!.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(statistics) Of a coin or die, having equal chance of landing on any side, unbiased.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Something which is fair (in various senses of the adjective).
When will we learn to distinguish between the fair and the foul?
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(obsolete) A woman, a member of the ‘fair sex’; also as a collective singular, women.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Goods(Slang) Incriminating information or evidence
Tried to get the goods on the crook.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
An event for professionals in a trade to learn of new products and do business, a trade fair.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
A travelling amusement park (called a funfair in British English and a (travelling) carnival in US English).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(transitive) To smoothen or even a surface (especially a connection or junction on a surface).
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Acting in the interest of what is beneficial, ethical, or moral.
Good intentions
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(transitive) To bring into perfect alignment (especially about rivet holes when connecting structural members).
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(transitive) To construct or design with the aim of producing a smooth outline or reducing air drag or water resistance.
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Oct 19, 2023
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?
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Clearly, openly, frankly, civilly, honestly, favorably, auspiciously, agreeably
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Oct 19, 2023
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?
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean; pure.
A fair white linen cloth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.
Who can not see many a fair French city, for one fair French made.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.
The northern people large and fair-complexioned.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Useful for a particular purpose; functional.
It’s a good watch;
The flashlight batteries are still good
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; favorable; - said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day.
You wish fair winds may waft him over.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unincumbered; open; direct; - said of a road, passage, etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair view.
The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a fair way to have enlarged.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; - said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Characterized by frankness, honesty, impartiality, or candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias; equitable; just; - said of persons, character, or conduct; as, a fair man; fair dealing; a fair statement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence; - said of words, promises, etc.
When fair words and good counsel will not prevail on us, we must be frighted into our duty.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Of food or other perishable products, still fit for use; not yet expired, stale, rotten, etc.
The bread is still good.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Valid, of worth, capable of being honoured.
This coupon is good for a free doughnut.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling; as, a fair specimen.
The news is very fair and good, my lord.
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
True, valid, of explanatory strength.
This theory still holds good even if much higher temperatures are assumed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
A gathering of buyers and sellers, assembled at a particular place with their merchandise at a stated or regular season, or by special appointment, for trade.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
A festival, and sale of fancy articles. erc., usually for some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair; a church fair.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
An exhibition by a number of organizations, including governmental organizations, for the purpose of acquainting people with such organizations or their members, not primarily for commercial purposes; as, the 1939 World's Fair.
Meet me in St. Louis, LouisMeet me at the fairDon't tell me the lights are shiningAnyplace but there.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
Holy especially when capitalized .
Good Friday, Good Wednesday, the Good Book
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Gathering of producers to promote business;
World fair
Trade fair
Book fair
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
A competitive exhibition of farm products;
She won a blue ribbon for her baking at the county fair
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
That is good; an elliptical exclamation of satisfaction or commendation.
Good! I can leave now.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
(nonstandard) Well; satisfactorily or thoroughly.
The boy done good. (did well)
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; or conforming with established standards or rules;
A fair referee
Fair deal
On a fair footing
A fair fight
By fair means or foul
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
(uncountable) The forces or behaviours that are the enemy of evil. Usually consists of helping others and general benevolence.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Very pleasing to the eye;
My bonny lass
There's a bonny bay beyond
A comely face
Young fair maidens
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(of a baseball) hit between the foul lines;
He hit a fair ball over the third base bag
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Of no exceptional quality or ability;
A novel of average merit
Only a fair performance of the sonata
In fair health
The caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above average
The performance was middling at best
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
(transitive) To do good to (someone); benefit; cause to improve or gain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections;
Fair copy
A clean manuscript
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Oct 19, 2023
Fair
In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;
They played fairly
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; - said of persons or actions.
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
An event for entertainment or trade.
We're going to the county fair this weekend.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth.
Love no man in good earnest.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.
Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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 ?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
Moral excellence or admirableness;
There is much good to be found in people
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Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
Having the normally expected amount;
Gives full measure
Gives good measure
A good mile from here
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Deserving of esteem and respect;
All respectable companies give guarantees
Ruined the family's good name
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Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
Superior to the average;
In fine spirits
A fine student
Made good grades
Morale was good
Had good weather for the parade
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
With or in a close or intimate relationship;
A good friend
My sisters and brothers are near and dear
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
Having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others;
His benevolent smile
A benevolent nature
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
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)
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Oct 19, 2023
Good
In excellent physical condition;
Good teeth
I still have one good leg
A sound mind in a sound body
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Good
In a complete and thorough manner (`good' is sometimes used informally for `thoroughly');
He was soundly defeated
We beat him good
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "fair" always about quality?
No, it can also mean just adequate or impartial.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can "good" be subjective?
Yes, what is considered good can vary by personal taste.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Does "fair" imply excellence?
No, it usually suggests sufficiency or adequacy.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is "good" used in evaluations?
Yes, to indicate better than average performance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is "good" versatile in language?
Yes, it's used in various contexts and meanings.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
How does "good" relate to ethics?
Often associated with moral righteousness.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
What contexts is "fair" used in?
Fairness, weather conditions, and physical descriptions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Does "fair" always mean justice?
No, it has multiple meanings, including adequacy and light color.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Does "fair" have a physical connotation?
Yes, in describing light or pale features.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
How does "fair" relate to sufficiency?
It suggests something is adequate or reasonable.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
How does "good" relate to skill?
It indicates proficiency, like being good at something.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Is "fair" used in ethical contexts?
Often, especially related to justice and impartiality.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
Can "good" imply successful results?
Yes, indicating effective or desired outcomes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 29, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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