Dandy vs. Good — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 21, 2024
Dandy means excellent or outstanding, often with a stylish connotation, while good refers to something that is satisfactory or of high quality.
Difference Between Dandy and Good
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Dandy refers to something that is excellent or outstanding, often implying a stylish or elegant quality. For instance, describing a day as "dandy" suggests it was particularly enjoyable or pleasant. Good, on the other hand, denotes something satisfactory, pleasing, or of high quality. When you say a day was "good," it means it met your expectations and was generally pleasant.
Dandy is more informal and carries a unique flair, often used to describe situations or things that stand out in a positive, sometimes whimsical way. For example, calling an outfit "dandy" implies it’s not just good, but also stylish and eye-catching. Good is a more common term and broadly used in various contexts to describe anything from behavior to performance, meeting a standard of quality or adequacy.
When referring to people, dandy can also describe a man who is overly concerned with his appearance and style, often to a meticulous degree. Good, in the context of describing people, simply means someone who is virtuous, kind, or competent. For example, a "dandy" might be someone who spends a lot of time and effort on their clothing and grooming, whereas a "good" person is someone who is reliable and ethical.
Dandy is rarely used in negative contexts and often adds a bit of charm or exaggeration. Saying "dandy" to describe an event suggests it was not just acceptable but unusually enjoyable. Good is more neutral and versatile, applicable in both positive and negative contexts, like in "good enough" or "not good."
Comparison Chart
Definition
Excellent or outstanding, often stylish
Satisfactory or of high quality
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Connotation
Stylish, elegant, sometimes whimsical
General positivity, adequacy
Usage Context
Informal, distinctive, often nostalgic
Broad, common, versatile
People Description
Stylish, meticulous about appearance
Virtuous, kind, competent
Example
"He looked dandy in his new suit."
"She is a good student."
Compare with Definitions
Dandy
A man who is excessively concerned with his appearance and clothes.
He was known as a dandy around town, always impeccably dressed.
Good
Satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree.
She did a good job on the report.
Dandy
Something very good or attractive.
The dinner was dandy, everyone enjoyed it.
Good
Beneficial or advantageous.
Exercise is good for your health.
Dandy
Stylish or elegant.
That’s a dandy new hat you have.
Good
Competent or skillful.
She’s very good at math.
Dandy
Excellent or outstanding.
The weather was simply dandy today.
Good
Enjoyable or pleasant.
We had a good time at the party.
Dandy
Remarkably good in quality.
Her performance was absolutely dandy.
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.
Dandy
A dandy, historically, is a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance in a cult of self. A dandy could be a self-made man who strove to imitate an aristocratic lifestyle despite coming from a middle-class background, especially in late 18th- and early 19th-century Britain.
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
Dandy
A man who affects extreme elegance in clothes and manners; a fop.
Good
Having the required qualities; of a high standard
His marks are just not good enough
A good restaurant
Dandy
Something very good or agreeable.
Good
Possessing or displaying moral virtue
Her father was a good man
Dandy
(Nautical) See yawl.
Good
Giving pleasure; enjoyable or satisfying
The streets fill up with people looking for a good time
Dandy
Suggestive of or attired like a dandy; foppish.
Good
Thorough
Now is the time to have a really good clear-up
Have a good look around
Dandy
Fine; good.
Good
Valid
The ticket is good for travel from May to September
Dandy
A man very concerned about his physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies, pursued with the appearance of nonchalance in a cult of self.
Good
Used in conjunction with the name of God or a related expression as an exclamation of extreme surprise or anger
Good heavens!
Dandy
A yawl, or a small after-sail on a yawl.
Good
That which is morally right; righteousness
A mysterious balance of good and evil
Dandy
A dandy roller.
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
Dandy
A small glass of whisky.
Good
Merchandise or possessions
Imports of luxury goods
The market price of an agricultural good
Stolen goods
Dandy
Like a dandy, foppish.
Good
Well
I'm feeling pretty good, all things considered
My mother could never cook this good
Dandy
Very good; better than expected but not as good as could be.
That's all fine and dandy, but how much does it cost?
Good
Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
A good experience.
Good news from the hospital.
Dandy
Excellent; first-rate.
What a dandy little laptop you have.
Good
Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing
A good exterior paint.
A good joke.
Dandy
One who affects special finery or gives undue attention to dress; a fop; a coxcomb.
Good
Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable
Is this a good dress for the party?.
Dandy
A sloop or cutter with a jigger on which a lugsail is set.
Good
Not spoiled or ruined
The milk is still good.
Dandy
A dandy roller. See below.
Good
In excellent condition; sound
A good tooth.
Dandy
A man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
Good
Superior to the average; satisfactory
A good student.
Dandy
Very good;
He did a bully job
A neat sports car
Had a great time at the party
You look simply smashing
Good
Used formerly to refer to the US Government grade of meat higher than standard and lower than choice.
Good
Of high quality
Good books.
Good
Discriminating
Good taste.
Good
Of moral excellence; upright
A good person.
Good
Benevolent; kind
A good soul.
A good heart.
Good
Loyal; staunch
A good Republican.
Good
Well-behaved; obedient
A good child.
Good
Socially correct; proper
Good manners.
Good
Worthy of respect; honorable
Ruined the family's good name.
Good
Attractive; handsome
Good looks.
Good
Beneficial to health; salutary
A good night's rest.
Good
Competent; skilled
A good machinist.
Good
Complete; thorough
A good workout.
Good
Reliable; sure
A good investment.
Good
Valid or true
A good reason.
Good
Genuine; real
A good dollar bill.
Good
In effect; operative
A warranty good for two years.
A driver's license that is still good.
Good
Ready or able for a specified or assumed activity
I'm good for another round of golf.
Good
Able to pay or contribute
Is she good for the money that you lent her?.
Good
Able to elicit a specified reaction
He is always good for a laugh.
Good
Ample; substantial
A good income.
Good
Bountiful
A good table.
Good
Full
It is a good mile from here.
Good
Pleasant; enjoyable
Had a good time at the party.
Good
Propitious; favorable
Good weather.
A good omen.
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.
Good
Passing between the uprights of the goal and therefore scoring, as a field goal in football.
Good
Used to form exclamatory phrases expressing surprise or dismay
Good heavens! Good grief!.
Good
Something that is good.
Good
A good, valuable, or useful part or aspect.
Good
Welfare; benefit
For the common good.
Good
Goodness; virtue
There is much good to be found in people.
Good
A product that is bought and sold
Frozen goods.
Good
Goods Portable personal property.
Good
(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Fabric; material.
Good
Goods(Slang) Incriminating information or evidence
Tried to get the goods on the crook.
Good
Well.
Good
(of people)
Good
Acting in the interest of what is beneficial, ethical, or moral.
Good intentions
Good
Competent or talented.
A good swimmer
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.
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?
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.
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?
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
Good
Morally right or virtuous.
He is a good person, always helping others.
Common Curiosities
Is good always positive?
Generally, yes, but it can be used in neutral or comparative contexts like "good enough."
How is good different from dandy?
Good refers to something satisfactory or of high quality, while dandy implies something outstanding and stylish.
Can dandy describe a person?
Yes, it can describe a man who is overly concerned with his appearance and style.
Can dandy be used in formal writing?
It’s more informal and is less common in formal writing.
Does dandy imply a sense of style?
Yes, it often implies style and elegance.
What does dandy mean?
Dandy means excellent or outstanding, often with a stylish or elegant connotation.
Can you use good to describe people?
Yes, you can describe someone as good meaning they are virtuous or competent.
How would you use dandy in a sentence?
"He looked dandy in his new suit."
What’s a common phrase with good?
"She did a good job on the project."
Is dandy used in modern language?
It’s less common today and can sound old-fashioned.
What is an example of good used for objects?
"This is a good book."
What’s a synonym for good?
Excellent, though it is stronger than good.
Can dandy have a negative connotation?
Rarely, it’s mostly positive and adds charm.
What does it mean to have a good time?
To enjoy oneself.
Is dandy synonymous with good?
Not exactly, dandy is more specific and stylish, while good is broader and more general.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
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.
