Good vs. Excellent — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 8, 2024
Good signifies a satisfactory level of quality or competence, while excellent denotes a much higher, outstanding level of quality or performance.
Difference Between Good and Excellent
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Good is a term that implies a level of quality or competence that meets basic or expected standards. It suggests adequacy without necessarily exceeding expectations. Whereas excellent refers to a significantly higher standard, indicating exceptional quality or performance that stands out distinctly above the norm.
When describing performance, "good" is used to acknowledge proficiency or capability that is respectable and solid. On the other hand, "excellent" is reserved for performance that surpasses standard expectations, highlighting a remarkable level of skill or achievement.
In the context of feedback, a good evaluation suggests that the individual or product has met the required criteria satisfactorily, without major flaws. However, an excellent evaluation is an indicator of surpassing the set criteria with exceptional attributes or achievements, often going beyond what is asked.
From a motivational standpoint, being described as good can be seen as encouragement to maintain a certain level of output or quality. Whereas being labeled excellent often serves as a stronger motivator, pushing individuals or teams to continue striving for exceptional standards.
In terms of improvement or progress, reaching a good level might be seen as an initial goal or a stepping stone. Excellent, however, is often viewed as the pinnacle or an aspirational target that requires continuous effort and dedication to achieve and maintain.
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Comparison Chart
Standard
Meets basic or expected standards
Surpasses expected standards
Performance
Proficient and solid
Exceptional and outstanding
Feedback
Satisfactory and without major flaws
Exceptional attributes or achievements
Motivational Impact
Encourages maintenance of current level
Pushes for striving towards higher standards
Goal Setting
Seen as an initial goal or stepping stone
Viewed as a pinnacle or aspirational target
Compare with Definitions
Good
Adequate in quality or degree.
The report was good but lacked detailed analysis.
Excellent
Exceeding expectations with distinction.
The feedback from the review was excellent, highlighting innovative ideas.
Good
Competent or skilled.
She is a good pianist, playing with precision.
Excellent
Showing exceptional merit or virtue.
The team's strategy was excellent, leading to a seamless victory.
Good
Beneficial or advantageous.
A good amount of sleep is essential for health.
Excellent
Outstanding or extremely good in quality or degree.
His performance was excellent, earning him the first place.
Good
Enjoyable or satisfying.
We had a good time at the concert.
Excellent
Superior in quality.
The craftsmanship of the vase is excellent.
Good
Morally right.
He made a good decision in a difficult situation.
Excellent
Highly commendable.
Her dedication to the project was excellent.
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.
Excellent
Extremely good; outstanding
Their results are excellent
The lorry was in excellent condition
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
Excellent
Used to indicate approval or pleasure
‘What a lovely idea! Excellent!’
Good
Having the required qualities; of a high standard
His marks are just not good enough
A good restaurant
Excellent
Of the highest or finest quality; exceptionally good for its kind
Enjoyed an excellent meal at the restaurant.
Good
Possessing or displaying moral virtue
Her father was a good man
Excellent
(Archaic) Being so to an extreme degree.
Good
Giving pleasure; enjoyable or satisfying
The streets fill up with people looking for a good time
Excellent
Having excelled, having surpassed.
Good
Thorough
Now is the time to have a really good clear-up
Have a good look around
Excellent
Of higher or the highest quality; splendid.
Good
Valid
The ticket is good for travel from May to September
Excellent
Exceptionally good of its kind.
Good
Used in conjunction with the name of God or a related expression as an exclamation of extreme surprise or anger
Good heavens!
Excellent
Superior in kind or degree, irrespective of moral quality.
Good
That which is morally right; righteousness
A mysterious balance of good and evil
Excellent
(obsolete) Excellently.
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
Excellent
Excelling; surpassing others in some good quality or the sum of qualities; of great worth; eminent, in a good sense; superior; as, an excellent man, artist, citizen, husband, discourse, book, song, etc.; excellent breeding, principles, aims, action.
To love . . . What I see excellent in good or fair.
Good
Merchandise or possessions
Imports of luxury goods
The market price of an agricultural good
Stolen goods
Excellent
Superior in kind or degree, irrespective of moral quality; - used with words of a bad significance.
Their sorrows are most excellent.
Good
Well
I'm feeling pretty good, all things considered
My mother could never cook this good
Excellent
Excellently; eminently; exceedingly.
Good
Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
A good experience.
Good news from the hospital.
Excellent
Of the highest quality;
Made an excellent speech
The school has excellent teachers
A first-class mind
Good
Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing
A good exterior paint.
A good joke.
Good
Serving the desired purpose or end; suitable
Is this a good dress for the party?.
Good
Not spoiled or ruined
The milk is still good.
Good
In excellent condition; sound
A good tooth.
Good
Superior to the average; satisfactory
A good student.
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
Common Curiosities
What defines a good performance?
A good performance meets the basic or expected standards of quality and competence.
How do evaluators distinguish between good and excellent?
Evaluators look for the degree to which standards are met or exceeded, with excellent requiring distinct superiority or exceptional attributes.
Is it better to aim for good or excellent?
While aiming for good is a solid starting point, striving for excellence sets a higher goal that encourages outstanding performance or quality.
How does excellent performance differ from good?
Excellent performance significantly surpasses expected standards, demonstrating exceptional skill or achievement.
Can something be good but not excellent?
Yes, something can be considered good if it meets basic standards, while it needs to exceed those standards significantly to be deemed excellent.
What impact does receiving a "good" vs. an "excellent" rating have?
Receiving an excellent rating typically has a stronger motivational impact, encouraging continued effort towards exceptional standards.
Does a "good" evaluation mean there is no room for improvement?
A good evaluation indicates satisfactory performance or quality, but there is always room for improvement towards excellence.
Can one's "good" be another's "excellent"?
Perceptions of what constitutes good or excellent can vary among individuals, based on personal standards and expectations.
What role does motivation play in achieving excellence?
High motivation levels are crucial for surpassing good standards and achieving excellence, as they drive the necessary effort and dedication.
In what ways can excellence be measured?
Excellence can be measured through various criteria, including surpassing goals, innovation, and the impact of achievements on broader standards.
Why is striving for excellence important?
Striving for excellence pushes individuals and organizations to achieve and maintain the highest possible standards.
Can a product be both good and excellent?
A product might be considered good in some aspects and excellent in others, depending on the criteria being evaluated.
How do societal standards affect what is considered good or excellent?
Societal standards play a significant role in defining what is considered good or excellent, influencing expectations and perceptions.
How does feedback contribute to moving from good to excellent?
Constructive feedback can identify areas for improvement, helping individuals or products move from good to excellent by refining qualities or performance.
Is excellence always achievable?
While excellence is an aspirational target, its achievability can vary based on individual capabilities, resources, and external factors.
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Written 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.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
