good book: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal. Often used in conversational recommendations.
Quick answer
What does “good book” mean?
A book that is considered enjoyable, well-written, or worth reading.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A book that is considered enjoyable, well-written, or worth reading.
A book that provides particular value, such as moral instruction (esp. the Bible), a useful reference, or a source of profound personal enjoyment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Good read' is a common alternative in both.
Connotations
Slightly more likely in UK English to imply literary merit; in US English, may more broadly imply popular appeal.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “good book” in a Sentence
Have you got/read/found a good book?It's a good book about X.Can you recommend a good book?Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “good book” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She gave a good-book recommendation.
American English
- He's a good-book connoisseur.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could refer to a useful business manual or biography.
Academic
Used informally among students/referring to a valuable textbook or seminal work.
Everyday
Very common for discussing personal reading, recommendations.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “good book”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “good book”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “good book”
- Using "nice book" in formal writing (prefer 'excellent', 'well-written').
- Confusing "good book" (quality) with "good copy" (a physical book in good condition).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in modern usage, 'good book' can refer to the content regardless of format.
No, it's neutral to informal. In formal literary criticism, terms like 'significant work', 'seminal text', or 'masterpiece' are preferred.
They are often synonymous, but 'good read' emphasizes the experience of reading, while 'good book' emphasizes the object itself.
Use phrases like 'I highly recommend X, it's a really good book about...' or 'If you like Y, you'll find Z a good book.'
A book that is considered enjoyable, well-written, or worth reading.
Good book: in British English it is pronounced /ɡʊd bʊk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡʊd bʊk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A good book is a good friend.”
- “You can't judge a book by its cover.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a librarian stamping a book with a big smiley face and the word "GOOD."
Conceptual Metaphor
A GOOD BOOK IS A TREASURE / A GOOD BOOK IS A FRIEND.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'the Good Book' typically refer to?