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interjection

good job

good JOB

Good job (interjection) means Said to praise someone for doing something well or completing a task competently. Example: “Good job, everyone — we finished a day early.”

interjection
1
Said to praise someone for doing something well or completing a task competently.
"Good job, everyone — we finished a day early."
"She gave him a high five and said good job."
noun phrase
1
informal, chiefly British A fortunate thing; used with 'it's a' to say that something turned out lucky.
"It's a good job you kept the receipt."
"Good job I checked the tickets before we left."
2
Employment that pays well or is otherwise desirable.
"He gave up a good job in London to move back home."

How to Use Good job

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA way of telling someone they did well.

When to use it

As praise it is informal and slightly American; British speakers more often say well done. It is also freely used sarcastically after someone has made a mess of something.

Memory tip

Praise takes no article — say good job, not a good job. 'A good job' means desirable employment instead.

Easily confused with
good job vs. well done good job vs. nice job
Common pairings
good job, mate doing a good job it's a good job that good job on the presentation
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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____, everyone — we finished a day early.

well done nice work great job bravo a good thing just as well lucky decent job solid position

Related Words

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between good job and well done?

They mean the same thing. Good job is more common in American English and reads as casual and slightly informal; well done is the standard British equivalent and can sound a shade more formal or adult, which is why teachers use it freely.

Is saying good job condescending?

It can be, between peers or to someone senior, because praise usually flows downward. Adding specifics fixes it — 'good job getting the client to agree' reads as genuine recognition rather than a pat on the head.

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