good egg: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, slightly dated
Quick answer
What does “good egg” mean?
A person who is trustworthy, reliable, and fundamentally decent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is trustworthy, reliable, and fundamentally decent.
Someone who consistently demonstrates kindness, integrity, and a willingness to help others.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and deeply established in British English. In American English, it is understood but perceived as a quaint or British-tinged expression.
Connotations
UK: Nostalgic, warm, chummy. US: Quirky, old-fashioned, sometimes consciously used for a whimsical or British effect.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in UK; low frequency in US.
Grammar
How to Use “good egg” in a Sentence
[Subject] be [a] good egg.[Subject] be considered [a] good egg.What a good egg [Subject] is!Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously in close-knit teams: 'Stick with Sarah on the project; she's a good egg.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Primary domain. Used in personal, social contexts to praise character: 'Thanks for helping me move, you're a proper good egg.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “good egg”
- Using it as an adjective (*'He is very good egg.'). It is a noun phrase: 'He is a good egg.'
- Pluralising 'egg' in the idiom (*'They are good eggs.'). While sometimes heard, the singular 'a good egg' is the canonical form.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely. While the idiom originated in a more male-dominated era, it is perfectly standard and common to use it for any person.
It is somewhat dated but remains in active, understood use, especially in British English. It often carries a warm, nostalgic tone.
The direct antonym is 'a bad egg', meaning a dishonest or disreputable person. Other antonyms include 'rotten apple', 'scoundrel', or 'cad'.
While 'a good egg' is the standard singular form, the plural 'good eggs' is sometimes used informally to refer to a group of reliable people, though it's less idiomatic than the singular.
A person who is trustworthy, reliable, and fundamentally decent.
Good egg is usually informal, slightly dated in register.
Good egg: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈeɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈɛɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A good egg.”
- “He's/She's one of the good ones.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a perfect, wholesome, nutritious egg – it's 'good'. A 'good egg' is a person who is morally wholesome and nourishing to be around.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE FOOD / CHARACTER IS QUALITY (of an object).
Practice
Quiz
The idiom 'good egg' is MOST appropriate in which context?