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well1

Pronunciation: /wɛl/

Translate well | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of well

adverb (better, best)

  • 1in a good or satisfactory way:the whole team played well
  • in a way that is appropriate to the facts or circumstances:you did well to come and tell me [as submodifier, in combination]:a well-timed exit
  • so as to have a fortunate outcome:his campaign was not going well
  • in a kind way:the animals will remain loyal to humans if treated well
  • with praise or approval:people spoke well of him the film was quite well reviewed at the time
  • with equanimity:she took it very well, all things considered
  • profitably; advantageously:she would marry well or not at all
  • in a condition of prosperity or comfort:they lived well and were generous with their money
  • archaic luckily; opportunely:hail fellow, well met
  • 2in a thorough manner:add the mustard and lemon juice and mix well
  • to a great extent or degree (often used for emphasis):the visit had been planned well in advance [as submodifier, in combination]:a well-loved colleague a well-deserved reputation
  • intimately; closely:he knew my father very well
  • [as submodifier] British informal very; extremely:he was well out of order
  • [with submodifier] used as an intensifier:I should jolly well hope so
  • 3 [with modal] very probably; in all likelihood:being short of breath may well be the first sign of asthma
  • without difficulty:she could well afford to pay for the reception herself
  • with good reason:‘What are we doing here?’ ‘You may well ask.’

adjective (better, best)

[predic.]
  • 1in good health; free or recovered from illness:I don’t feel very well it would be some time before Sarah was completely well [attributive]: informalI am not a well man
  • in a satisfactory state or position:I do hope all is well with you and your family
  • 2sensible; advisable:it would be well to know just what this suggestion entails

exclamation

  • used to express a range of emotions including surprise, anger, resignation, or relief:Well, really! The manners of some people!
  • used when pausing to consider one’s next words, to mark the resumption or end of a conversation, etc.:well, I suppose I could fit you in at 3.45 well, cheers, Tom—I must fly
  • used to indicate that one is waiting for an answer or explanation from someone:Well? You promised to tell me all about it

Phrases

as well

  • 1in addition; too:the museum provides hours of fun and a few surprises as well
  • 2 (also just as well) with equal reason or an equally good result:I may as well have a look
  • sensible, appropriate, or desirable:it would be as well to let him go

as well as

and in addition; and also:a shop that sold books as well as newspapers

as well he (or she etc.) might (or may)

used to convey the speaker’s opinion that a reaction is appropriate or unsurprising:she sounded rather chipper, as well she might, given her bright prospects

be well away

British informal having made considerable or easy progress:if we got Terry to do that, we’d be well away

be well in with

informal have a good relationship with (someone in a position of influence or authority):you’re well in with O’Brien aren’t you

be well out of

British informal be fortunate to be no longer involved in (a situation).

very well

see very.

(all) well and good

used to express acceptance of a first statement before introducing a contradictory or confirming second statement:that’s all well and good, but why didn’t he phone her to say so?

well and truly

completely:Leith was well and truly rattled

well enough

to a reasonable degree:he liked Isobel well enough, but wouldn’t want to make a close friend of her

well worth

certainly worth:Salzburg is well worth a visit

Derivatives

wellness

noun

Origin:

Old English wel(l), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wel and German wohl; probably also to the verb will1. Vowel lengthening in Middle English gave rise to the current Scots form weel

The adverb well is often used in combination with past participles to form adjectival compounds: well adjusted, well intentioned, well known, and so on. As far as hyphenation is concerned, the general stylistic principle is that if the adjectival compound is placed attributively (i.e. it comes before the noun), it should be hyphenated (a well-intentioned remark) but that if it is placed predicatively (i.e. standing alone after the verb), it should not be hyphenated (her remarks were well intentioned). In this dictionary the unhyphenated form is generally the only one given, although the hyphenated form may be seen in illustrative examples.

well in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of well in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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