Phrase guide

hold good

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌhəʊld ˈɡʊd/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /ˌhoʊld ˈɡʊd/
  • rhymes with -ʊd

1

verb

Meaning 1

To continue being true or valid; to hold true.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • That explanation does not hold good in this matter.
  • The law holds not good for them.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hold

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To remain effective, fast, or secure.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From hold (“to maintain in being or action; to continue; to sustain”) + good.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: gælde — to continue being true or valid — see also hold true
  • Greek: αληθεύει (alithévei) — to continue being true or valid — see also hold true