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Today it means

good

having the right qualities; morally right

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Where does the word "good" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic gōdaz, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

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Where does the word "good" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic gōdaz, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Good’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: gōdaz meant “fitting, good.” First meant fitting or suitable. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as gōd. Despite the look-alike, not related to 'god'. It reached English by 1500s as good. 'goodbye' is a contraction of 'God be with ye', reshaped by 'good day'. Today, good means having the right qualities; morally right.

  1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient gōdaz "fitting, good", first meant fitting or suitable.
  2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s gōd "good", despite the look-alike, not related to 'god'.
  3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s good "good", 'goodbye' is a contraction of 'God be with ye', reshaped by 'good day'.

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