The meaning of fabulous

[sondra]

Hello,

What is the difference between 'extremely good' and 'very great'?

Isn't something that is 'very good' called 'great'?

This is how the adjective 'fabulous' is defined in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

1 (informal)
extremely good
a fabulous performance
Jana is a fabulous cook.
The food looks fabulous.
2 (formal)
very great
fabulous wealth/riches/beauty

Thanks

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello,

What is the difference between 'extremely good' and 'very great'?

Isn't something that is 'very good' called 'great'?

This is how the adjective 'fabulous' is defined in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

1 (informal)
extremely good
a fabulous performance
Jana is a fabulous cook.
The food looks fabulous.
2 (formal)
very great
fabulous wealth/riches/beauty

Thanks

As far as I can see the dictionary is defining them as having the same meaning.

 

[Grumpy]

I agree that "very good" and "very great" are often used to mean the same thing - but not always.
Take the dictionary example:

In 1 (informal), "extremely good" refers to the quality of the performance/cooking/look of the food.
Whereas, in 2 (informal), "very great" refers to the quantity, extent or degree of the wealth/riches/beauty.

A very great [ie extensive] famine would not be an extremely good [ie welcome/positive] thing, would it?

 

[SoothingDave]

Isn't something that is 'very good' called 'great'?

We have no shortage of words. Something could be great or fabulous or excellent or awesome or fantastic.