Another Word for Good: 24 Synonyms with Examples
“Good” is one of the most general words in English. A more specific word says what kind of good you mean: high quality, morally right, skilled or enjoyable.
As an adjective: of high quality or standard
- excellent
- fine
- great
- superb
- outstanding
- first-rate
- solid
- decent
As an adjective: morally right
- virtuous
- honest
- decent
- kind
- ethical
- righteous
As an adjective: skilled at something
- skilled
- capable
- able
- competent
- talented
- accomplished
As an adjective: pleasant or enjoyable
- pleasant
- enjoyable
- lovely
- nice
- delightful
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How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- excellent
- Much stronger than “good”: the top of the range.
- decent
- Means acceptable or reasonably good; also used for fair, honest people.
- competent
- Means skilled enough to do a job properly, but not exceptional. It can sound faint in a reference.
- virtuous
- Formal and moral; can sound old-fashioned or ironic in casual writing.
- solid
- Informal; suggests something reliable and well made rather than brilliant.
Example sentences
- excellent: The restaurant serves excellent seafood.
- decent: He earns a decent salary and lives close to work.
- competent: We need a competent driver for the long trip north.
- skilled: She is a skilled negotiator.
- solid: The team put in a solid performance despite the rain.
Opposite of good
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “good”. Check the meaning before you use one.
adjective: full, estimable, honorable, respectable
noun: goodness, commodity
adverb: well, thoroughly, soundly
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “good”?
The most useful alternatives are “excellent”, “fine”, “great”, “superb”, “outstanding”. For the main sense (of high quality or standard), “excellent” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “excellent” and “decent”?
excellent: Much stronger than “good”: the top of the range. decent: Means acceptable or reasonably good; also used for fair, honest people.
What is the opposite of “good”?
Common antonyms are “bad”, “poor”, “evil”, “inferior”.