well
/wel/
Definition
Adverb:
- In a good, satisfactory, or pleasing manner: Used to describe how an action is performed to a high standard or with a positive result.
- Thoroughly or completely: Used to indicate that an action is done to a full extent.
- To a great extent or degree: Used to emphasize the amount or degree of something.
- With good reason; reasonably; probably: Used to indicate that something is likely or logical.
- In a comfortable or prosperous manner: Used to describe living conditions.
Adjective:
- In good health; not ill: Describes a person's physical state.
- Satisfactory, pleasing, or good: Describes a state or condition.
- Advisable or prudent: Used to describe a wise course of action.
Noun:
- A deep hole or shaft sunk into the earth to obtain water, oil, or gas.
- A source of abundant supply: Used figuratively.
- An enclosed compartment or shaft in a structure.
Verb:
- (Of a liquid) To rise to the surface and flow out or up.
Interjection:
- Used to express surprise, resignation, or to introduce a remark: Used at the beginning of speech.
Usage Examples
Adverb:
- She sings well. (She has good singing ability.)
- Mix the ingredients well. (Mix them thoroughly.)
- The project is well over budget. (The project exceeds the budget by a large amount.)
- You may well be right. (It is quite probable that you are right.)
- They live well. (They live in a comfortable, prosperous manner.)
Adjective:
- I don't feel well today. (I do not feel healthy.)
- All is well. (Everything is satisfactory.)
- It would be well to check the details. (It would be advisable to check.)
Noun:
- They dug a well for water. (They dug a hole to access groundwater.)
- She is a well of information. (She is a rich source of knowledge.)
Verb:
- Tears welled in her eyes. (Tears rose and gathered in her eyes.)
Interjection:
- Well, I never expected that! (Expressing surprise.)
- Well, let's get started. (Introducing or resuming a topic.)
Advanced Usage
- "As well": Also; in addition.
- He is a teacher and a writer as well.
- "As well as": In addition to; and also.
- She speaks French as well as Spanish.
- "May/might/could well": Used to say something is likely.
- It may well rain later.
- "Do well": To be successful or prosperous.
- He has done well in his career.
- "Well and truly": Completely; beyond doubt.
- The project is well and truly finished.
Variants and Related Words
- Well-being (n): The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.
- Well-known (adj): Widely or generally known.
- Well-off (adj): Wealthy; prosperous.
- Well-read (adj): Having read many books; knowledgeable.
- Well-wisher (n): A person who desires happiness or success for another.
Synonyms
- Adverb: Skillfully, proficiently, thoroughly, properly, satisfactorily, probably, rightly.
- Adjective: Healthy, fit, fine, satisfactory, advisable.
- Noun: Spring, fountain, source, shaft.
- Verb: Surge, rise, flow, gush.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Well up: (Of an emotion) to become increasingly intense, often to the point of overflowing.
- Sadness welled up inside her.
- Well over: To overflow.
- The river welled over its banks.
Related Idioms
- All's well that ends well: A problematic situation has been resolved satisfactorily.
- We had many difficulties, but all's well that ends well.
- Leave well enough alone: To avoid changing something that is already satisfactory.
- The design works, so let's leave well enough alone.
- Well-heeled: Wealthy; affluent.
- They live in a well-heeled neighborhood.
- Well-to-do: Prosperous; wealthy.
- He comes from a well-to-do family.
Adverb
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without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor
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took the joke well
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took the tragic news well
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in financial comfort
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They live well
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she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died
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in a manner affording benefit or advantage
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she married well
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The children were settled advantageously in Seattle
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with skill or in a pleasing manner
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she dances well
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he writes well
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with prudence or propriety
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You would do well to say nothing more
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could not well refuse
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with great or especially intimate knowledge
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we knew them well
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to a great extent or degree
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I'm afraid the film was well over budget
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painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger
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the house has fallen considerably in value
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the price went up substantially
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favorably; with approval
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their neighbors spoke well of them
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he thought well of the book
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to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree
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the project was well underway
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the fetus has well developed organs
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his father was well pleased with his grades
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(used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully
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a book well worth reading
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was well aware of the difficulties ahead
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suspected only too well what might be going on
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indicating high probability; in all likelihood
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I might well do it
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a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster
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you may well need your umbrella
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he could equally well be trying to deceive us
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thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form
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The problem is well understood
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she was well informed
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shake well before using
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in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked
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well-done beef, well-satisfied customers
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well-educated
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(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well')
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the children behaved well
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a task well done
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the party went well
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he slept well
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a well-argued thesis
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a well-seasoned dish
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a well-planned party
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the baby can walk pretty good
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Noun
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an enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding something as e.g. fish or a plane's landing gear or for protecting something as e.g. a ship's pumps
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an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)
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an abundant source
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she was a well of information
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a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
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a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine
Verb
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come up, as of a liquid
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Tears well in her eyes
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the currents well up
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Adjective
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wise or advantageous and hence advisable
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it would be well to start early
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resulting favorably
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it's a good thing that I wasn't there
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it is good that you stayed
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it is well that no one saw you
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all's well that ends well
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in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury; at least I feel well"
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appears to be entirely well
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the wound is nearly well
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a well man
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I think I'm well
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