good friday: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal/Religious
Quick answer
What does “good friday” mean?
The Friday before Easter Sunday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The Friday before Easter Sunday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
A Christian holy day of fasting, penance, and mourning; a public holiday in many countries with Christian traditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both treat it as a proper noun and a public holiday.
Connotations
Solemn, religious observance in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in religious and calendar contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “good friday” in a Sentence
We observe Good Friday.Good Friday falls in March or April.The shop is closed for Good Friday.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “good friday” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- They attended the Good Friday procession.
American English
- The Good Friday agreement was significant.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Office closures and public holiday notices.
Academic
Discussions of Christian theology, history, or comparative religion.
Everyday
Making plans for the long weekend, discussing holiday arrangements.
Technical
Liturgical calendars, ecclesiastical law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “good friday”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “good friday”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “good friday”
- Writing it in lowercase ('good friday').
- Using it to refer to any Friday that is pleasant.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The 'good' refers to the holy and pious nature of the day, and the Christian belief that Jesus's sacrifice was for the good of humanity.
No, it is a public holiday in many countries with Christian traditions (e.g., UK, US, Canada, Australia) but not in all countries.
Observances include church services, fasting, abstinence from meat, and solemn reflection. Some cultures have specific processions or re-enactments.
Primarily no. It is a proper noun for a specific religious holiday. In secular contexts, people usually refer to it as 'the Friday before Easter' or 'the Easter holiday weekend'.
The Friday before Easter Sunday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Good friday is usually formal/religious in register.
Good friday: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈfraɪdeɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈfraɪdeɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Black Friday (historical, alternate name)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Good Friday isn't 'good' because of happy events; think of 'good' in its older sense of 'holy' or 'pious'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DAY IS A SACRED CONTAINER (for mourning and reflection).
Practice
Quiz
What does Good Friday commemorate?