góður

Góður is an Icelandic adjective meaning "good." It is used to describe people, objects, and qualities, and appears in both attributive (before a noun) and predicative (after a linking verb) positions. The basic form shown here is the masculine singular; feminine and neuter forms are góð and gott, respectively. Like many Icelandic adjectives, góður varies with number and definiteness, and its forms change in more complex noun phrases.

Etymology and cognates: Góður derives from Old Norse góður and is cognate with many other Germanic words for “good,” such as Danish god, Norwegian god, Swedish god, Dutch goed, and English good. The Icelandic form reflects ordinary development within the North Germanic branch and shows the same semantic core as its relatives.

Usage and grammar: As a positive degree adjective, góður forms the basis for comparisons: betri for the comparative (“better”) and bestur for the superlative (“the best”). It is used in a wide range of contexts, from simple descriptors like Hann er góður (He is good) to more specific phrases such as góður matur (good food) or góður dagur (a good day). In definite noun phrases, Icelandic adjectives adopt a different inflection pattern, aligning with general Icelandic adjective declension rules.

See also: Icelandic language; Icelandic adjectives; comparison of adjectives in Icelandic.