go
go Lexical Profile
go Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To leave or depart from a place.
"It is getting late, so we really ought to go before the traffic worsens."
To move or travel from one place to another.
"We plan to go to the natural history museum on Saturday morning."
To pass into or reach a specified state or condition (functioning as a linking verb).
"Milk will quickly go sour if it is left out on the counter in warm weather."
To proceed, turn out, or progress in a specified manner.
"The annual charity concert went much better than the organizers had anticipated."
To function, operate, or work properly (especially of a machine or device).
"The antique grandfather clock in the hallway still goes remarkably well."
• noun
An attempt or trial to do something.
"She decided to give the difficult crossword puzzle another go after dinner."
A person's turn to play or act in a game or shared activity.
"Whose go is it to roll the dice next?"
An ancient abstract strategy board game for two players originating in China, in which the aim is to surround more territory than the opponent using black and white stones.
"Mastering the complex territorial strategies of Go requires years of dedicated study."
Vigorous spirit, energy, or enthusiasm.
"Despite the long workweek, the young entrepreneur is still full of go."
• adjective
Functioning properly and ready for action or operation (used predicatively).
"The flight director confirmed that all systems are go for the afternoon launch."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Go' generally describes movement away from the speaker or current point of reference, whereas 'come' describes movement toward the speaker or listener. As an adjective ('all systems are go'), it is used strictly in the predicate position.
• Rhymes for go
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'gan' ('to advance, walk, depart'), originating from the Proto-Germanic root '*ga-'. Its past tense 'went' is a suppletive form adopted in Middle English from the verb 'wend' ('to turn or direct one's way').