adjective

very good

VEH-ree GUD

Very good (adjective) means of a high standard, clearly better than average but short of excellent. Example: “The food was very good, though the service was slow.”

adjective

Of a high standard, clearly better than average but short of excellent.

"The food was very good, though the service was slow."

"She is a very good swimmer for her age."

interjection

formal Used to signal that you accept an instruction or agree to do as asked, often formally or by a servant, soldier or subordinate.

"'Bring the car round at six.' 'Very good, sir.'"

How to use very good

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBetter than average, but not the best.

When to use it

Neutral as praise. As an interjection meaning 'yes, I'll do it' it sounds formal or old-fashioned.

Memory tip

In formal writing, prefer one strong adjective to 'very good' — it reads as vague.

Easily confused with

pretty good really good excellent →

Common pairings

very good at very good news very good value that's very good

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The food was _____, though the service was slow.

Synonyms

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excellent great fine first-rate admirable certainly as you wish right away

Antonyms

very bad poor dreadful

Related words

good great bad yes actually fine beautiful OK

Rhymes for very good

food good wood mood hood snood blood flood brood Atwood Osgood Elwood

See all rhymes for very good →

Frequently asked questions

Is very good stronger than good?

Yes, but not by much. Very good sits above good and below excellent, outstanding or superb. In reviews and school reports it usually signals solid quality with some room left at the top.

What can I say instead of very good?

Choose a single stronger word rather than adding 'very': excellent, superb, outstanding, first-rate, terrific or exceptional. Writers are generally advised to replace very plus an adjective with one precise adjective.

Is 'very good' rude when someone says it to you?

It can be, depending on tone. Said warmly it is praise; said flatly to an adult it can sound like a teacher congratulating a child, which comes across as condescending.

What is the meaning of very good?

"very good" (adjective) means of a high standard, clearly better than average but short of excellent.

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