Well Definition & Meaning
Maybe your like
adverb
-
in a good or satisfactory manner.
Business is going well.
-
thoroughly, carefully, or soundly.
to shake well before using; listen well.
-
in a moral or proper manner.
Synonyms: properly Antonyms: badly, poorlyto behave well.
-
commendably, meritoriously, or excellently.
Synonyms: efficiently, accuratelya difficult task well done.
-
with propriety, justice, or reason.
I could not well refuse.
-
adequately or sufficiently.
Synonyms: adequatelyThink well before you act.
-
to a considerable extent or degree (often used in combination).
Synonyms: quite, rathera sum well over the amount agreed upon;
a well-developed theme.
-
with great or intimate knowledge.
to know a person well.
-
certainly; without doubt.
I anger easily, as you well know.
-
with good nature; without rancor.
He took the joke well.
adjective
comparative
better,superlative
best-
in good health; sound in body and mind.
Synonyms: hearty, hale, healthy Antonyms: sick, illAre you well? He is not a well man.
-
satisfactory, pleasing, or good.
Synonyms: fineAll is well with us.
-
proper, fitting, or gratifying.
Synonyms: appropriate, befitting, suitableIt is well that you didn't go.
-
in a satisfactory position; well-off.
Synonyms: happy, fortunateI am very well as I am.
interjection
-
(used to express surprise, reproof, etc.).
Well! There's no need to shout.
-
(used to introduce a sentence, resume a conversation, etc.).
Well, who would have thought he could do it?
noun
-
well-being; good fortune; success.
to wish well to someone.
idioms
-
as well as, as much or as truly as; equally as.
Joan is witty as well as intelligent.
-
as well,
-
in addition; also; too.
She insisted on directing the play and on producing it as well.
-
equally.
The town grew as well because of its location as because of its superb climate.
-
-
leave well enough alone, avoid changing something that is satisfactory.
noun
-
a hole drilled or bored into the earth to obtain water, petroleum, natural gas, brine, or sulfur.
-
a spring or natural source of water.
-
an apparent reservoir or a source of human feelings, emotions, energy, etc..
Synonyms: font, mine, fund, storeHe was a well of gentleness and courtesy.
-
a container, receptacle, or reservoir for a liquid.
the well of ink in a fountain pen.
-
any sunken or deep, enclosed space, as a shaft for air or light, stairs, or an elevator, extending vertically through the floors of a building.
-
Nautical.
-
a part of a weather deck between two superstructures, extending from one side of a vessel to the other.
-
a compartment or enclosure around a ship's pumps to make them easily accessible and protect them from being damaged by the cargo.
-
-
a hollow compartment, recessed area, or depression for holding a specific item or items, as fish in the bottom of a boat or the retracted wheels of an airplane in flight.
-
any shaft dug or bored into the earth, as for storage space or a mine.
verb (used without object)
-
to rise, spring, or gush, as water, from the earth or some other source (often followed by up, out, orforth ).
Tears welled up in my eyes.
verb (used with object)
-
to send welling up or forth.
a fountain welling its pure water.
adjective
-
like, of, resembling, from, or used in connection with a well.
-
contraction of we will.
noun
-
a hole or shaft that is excavated, drilled, bored, or cut into the earth so as to tap a supply of water, oil, gas, etc
-
a natural pool where ground water comes to the surface
-
-
a cavity, space, or vessel used to contain a liquid
-
( in combination )
an inkwell
-
-
an open shaft through the floors of a building, such as one used for a staircase
-
a deep enclosed space in a building or between buildings that is open to the sky to permit light and air to enter
-
-
a bulkheaded compartment built around a ship's pumps for protection and ease of access
-
another word for cockpit
-
-
a perforated tank in the hold of a fishing boat for keeping caught fish alive
-
(in England) the open space in the centre of a law court
-
a source, esp one that provides a continuous supply
he is a well of knowledge
verb
-
to flow or cause to flow upwards or outwards
tears welled from her eyes
contraction
-
we will or we shall
adverb
-
(often used in combination) in a satisfactory manner
the party went very well
-
(often used in combination) in a good, skilful, or pleasing manner
she plays the violin well
-
in a correct or careful manner
listen well to my words
-
in a comfortable or prosperous manner
to live well
-
(usually used with auxiliaries) suitably; fittingly
you can't very well say that
-
intimately
I knew him well
-
in a kind or favourable manner
she speaks well of you
-
to a great or considerable extent; fully
to be well informed
-
by a considerable margin
let me know well in advance
-
indeed
you may well have to do it yourself
-
informal (intensifier)
well safe
-
used ironically to express discontent, dissent, etc
-
-
in addition; too
-
with equal effect
you might as well come
-
preferable or advisable
it would be just as well if you paid me now
-
-
in addition to
-
to refrain from interfering with something that is satisfactory
-
used to indicate calm acceptance, as of a decision
if you accept my offer, well and good
-
well acquainted with (a particular subject); knowledgeable about
adjective
-
(when prenominal, usually used with a negative) in good health
I'm very well, thank you
he's not a well man
-
satisfactory, agreeable, or pleasing
-
prudent; advisable
it would be well to make no comment
-
prosperous or comfortable
-
fortunate or happy
it is well that you agreed to go
interjection
-
-
an expression of surprise, indignation, or reproof
-
an expression of anticipation in waiting for an answer or remark
-
-
an expression used to preface a remark, gain time, etc
well, I don't think I will come
-
A deep hole or shaft sunk into the Earth to tap a liquid or gaseous substance such as water, oil, gas, or brine. If the substance is not under sufficient pressure to flow freely from the well, it must be pumped or raised mechanically to the surface. Water or pressurized gas is sometimes pumped into a nonproducing oil well to push petroleum resources out of underground reservoirs.
-
See also artesian well
- alive and kicking (well)
- all very well
- all's well that ends well
- as well
- as well as
- augur well for
- damn well
- do well
- full well
- get well
- hanged for a sheep, might as well be
- leave well enough alone
- only too (well)
- sit well with
- think a lot (well) of
- to a fare-thee-well
- very well
- wear well
More idioms and phrases containing well
Grammar
Sometimes an adverb like well is so often placed in front of and combined with a certain past participle in order to modify it that the resulting adjectival combination achieves the status of a common word and is listed in dictionaries. In Dictionary.com you will find, for example, entries for well-advised and well-mannered; for ill-advised, ill-bred, and ill-conceived; and for half-baked and half-cocked. Some of these terms are given full definitions, while others are considered such obvious combinations that you can figure out for yourself what they must mean. It is important to note, however, that compound adjectives like these are hyphenated for use before the noun they modify together. Thus we say that someone is “a well-loved professor,” but there would be no hyphen between well and loved in a sentence like “My English professor is well loved and deserves the award.” In a similar manner, adjectival compounds formed with better, best, little, lesser, least, etc., are also hyphenated when placed before the noun ( a little-understood theory ), but the hyphen is dropped when the adjectival combination follows the noun ( his films are best known in England ) or is itself modified by an adverb ( a too little understood theory ). There are exceptions to this pattern. For example, when the combining adverb ends in –ly, no hyphen is required, whether the resulting adjectival combination appears before or after the noun: a highly regarded surgeon; a surgeon who is highly regarded. Don’t let the hyphens fool you. Punctuation can be tricky!
Usage
See good.
See contraction.
Etymology
Origin of well1
First recorded before 900; Middle English adverb wel, wel(l)e, wil, Old English adjective and adverb wel(l); cognate with Dutch wel, Old High German wela, wola, German wohl, Old Norse vel, Gothic waila; akin to Old English wyllan “to wish,” Latin velle “to wish”; will 1 ( def. )
Origin of well2
First recorded before 900; Middle English noun wel(le), Old English wylle, wella, welle; cognate with German Welle “wave”; Middle English wellen, wel(le), Old English wellan, willan, wyllan; cognate with Dutch wellen, Old Norse vella; both noun and verb ultimately akin to weallan “to boil, bubble up”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I putted really well, hit my driver great and I’m excited to be in the hunt for the second straight week,” Bridgeman said after coolly sinking an eight-foot birdie putt on the last hole.
From Los Angeles Times
His early attempts to fit in did not go well; the other monkeys gave him either the cold shoulder or a very hard time.
From Los Angeles Times
The university's "materials library", which had different books, as well as textiles and fabrics, was also closed, meaning students' projects had to change drastically.
From BBC
But after a year and a half of major acts, queues and economic successes, the arena's redemption is well underway.
From BBC
"There are dozens, hundreds of really unique, interesting games published every week, month, and year - most of which do not sell well nor do they gain this level of attention," she added.
From BBC
Related Words
- accurately
- adequately
- carefully
- closely
- completely
- correctly
- effectively
- efficiently
- fully
- nicely
- properly
- smoothly
- strongly
- successfully
- thoroughly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Tag » How Do You Spell Well
-
Well Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
-
Well - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
-
WELL | Meaning, Definition In Cambridge English Dictionary
-
Good Vs. Well–How Should I Use Them? - Grammarly
-
Well Definition And Meaning | Collins English Dictionary
-
Correct Spelling For Well. - YouTube
-
60 / Learn & Laugh / Friday 3rd April 2020 / With Mr Duncan In England
-
Correct Spelling For Well [Infographic]
-
Spell Well, And Excel - The Blue Book Of Grammar And Punctuation
-
Well-being Vs. Wellbeing Vs. Well Being - Grammarist
-
Spell Well | Book Categories - CJ Fallon
-
Spell Well 2 | CJ Fallon
-
Frank Spell Well Educational Kit For Age 4 Years And Above
-
Spell Well