Ask Difference

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.
Great vs. Good — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Great and Good

ADVERTISEMENT

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.
ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Share Your Discovery

Share via Social Media
Embed This Content
Embed Code
Share Directly via Messenger
Link
Previous Comparison
Zone vs. Sector
Next Comparison
Necromancer vs. Witch

Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj 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.
Tayyaba 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.

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons

Trending Terms