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well - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'well' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Well [ a.]
- Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a natural or moral sense; fortunate; convenient; advantageous; happy; as, it is well for the country that the crops did not fail; it is well that the mistake was discovered.
- Being in health; sound in body; not ailing, diseased, or sick; healthy; as, a well man; the patient is perfectly well.
- Being in favor; favored; fortunate.
- Safe; as, a chip warranted well at a certain day and place.
2 . Well [ v. i.]
- An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain.
- A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to reach a supply of water, generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled with stone or bricks to prevent the earth from caving in.
- A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine.
- Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring.
- An inclosure in the middle of a vessel's hold, around the pumps, from the bottom to the lower deck, to preserve the pumps from damage and facilitate their inspection.
- A compartment in the middle of the hold of a fishing vessel, made tight at the sides, but having holes perforated in the bottom to let in water for the preservation of fish alive while they are transported to market.
- A vertical passage in the stern into which an auxiliary screw propeller may be drawn up out of water.
- A depressed space in the after part of the deck; -- often called the cockpit.
- A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.
- An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.
- The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.
- To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
3 . Well [ v. t.]
- To pour forth, as from a well.
- In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or wickedly.
- Suitably to one's condition, to the occasion, or to a proposed end or use; suitably; abundantly; fully; adequately; thoroughly.
- Fully or about; -- used with numbers.
- In such manner as is desirable; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favorably; advantageously; conveniently.
- Considerably; not a little; far.

Meaning of 'well' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . well [ n]
Meaning (1):
- an abundant source
Example in sentence:
  • she was a well of information
2 . well [ v]
Meaning (2):
- come up, as of a liquid
Example in sentence:
  • Tears well in her eyes;
  • the currents well up
3 . well [ a]
Meaning (3):
- in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury
Example in sentence:
  • a well man;
  • appears to be entirely well;
  • I think I'm well; at least I feel well;
  • the wound is nearly well
4 . well [ r]
Meaning (4):
- (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully
Example in sentence:
  • a book well worth reading;
  • suspected only too well what might be going on;
  • was well aware of the difficulties ahead
Meaning (5):
- indicating high probability; in all likelihood
Example in sentence:
  • a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster;
  • he could equally well be trying to deceive us;
  • I might well do it;
  • you may well need your umbrella
Meaning (6):
- (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')
Example in sentence:
  • a task well done;
  • a well-argued thesis;
  • a well-planned party;
  • a well-seasoned dish;
  • he slept well;
  • the baby can walk pretty good;
  • the children behaved well;
  • the party went well
Meaning (7):
- with prudence or propriety
Example in sentence:
  • could not well refuse;
  • You would do well to say nothing more
Meaning (8):
- favorably; with approval
Example in sentence:
  • he thought well of the book;
  • their neighbors spoke well of them
Meaning (9):
- with skill or in a pleasing manner
Example in sentence:
  • he writes well;
  • she dances well
Meaning (10):
- to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree
Example in sentence:
  • his father was well pleased with his grades;
  • the fetus has well developed organs;
  • the project was well underway
Meaning (11):
- to a great extent or degree
Example in sentence:
  • I'm afraid the film was well over budget;
  • painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger;
  • the house has fallen considerably in value;
  • the price went up substantially
Meaning (12):
- thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form
Example in sentence:
  • in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked;
  • shake well before using;
  • she was well informed;
  • The problem is well understood;
  • well-done beef;
  • well-educated;
  • well-satisfied customers
Meaning (13):
- in financial comfort
Example in sentence:
  • she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died;
  • They live well
Meaning (14):
- in a manner affording benefit or advantage
Example in sentence:
  • she married well;
  • The children were settled advantageously in Seattle
Meaning (15):
- without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor
Example in sentence:
  • took the joke well;
  • took the tragic news well
Meaning (16):
- with great or especially intimate knowledge
Example in sentence:
  • we knew them well
17 . well [ s]
Meaning (17):
- resulting favorably
Example in sentence:
  • all's well that ends well;
  • it is good that you stayed;
  • it is well that no one saw you;
  • it's a good thing that I wasn't there
Meaning (18):
- wise or advantageous and hence advisable
Example in sentence:
  • it would be well to start early

Nearby Words:

wel-begone welaway welch welcher welchman welcome welcomed welcomely welcomeness welcomer

See 'well' also in:

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