weal

1 of 2

noun (1)

1
: a sound, healthy, or prosperous state : well-being
2
obsolete : body politic, commonweal

weal

2 of 2

noun (2)

: welt

Did you know?

Weal has, since the dawn of English, referred to well-being. It’s most often used in the phrase “common weal” to refer to the general good—that is, to the happiness, health, and safety of everyone in a community or nation. A closed form of this phrase, commonweal, has since the 14th century carried the same meaning, but it once also referred to an organized political entity, such as a nation or state. This job (among others) is now done by the word’s close relation, commonwealth. At one time, weal and wealth were synonyms; both meant “riches” (as in “all their worldly weal”) and “well-being.” Both words stem from wela, the Old English word for “well-being,” and are closely related to the Old English word for “well.” An unrelated word weal is a synonym of welt in its painful application.

Examples of weal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
These and scores of other crimes against the public weal are carelessly grouped under this or that vague heading—libertarian prerogative, consumer sovereignty, anti-wokism, what have you—and enshrined as yet another instance of the way things have to be. Chris Lehmann, The New Republic, 30 Sep. 2021 Evince an old-fashioned interest in the public weal? Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 1 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'weal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English wele, from Old English wela; akin to Old English wel well

Noun (2)

alteration of wale

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of weal was before the 12th century

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Dictionary Entries Near weal

Cite this Entry

“Weal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/weal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

weal

1 of 2 noun
: a sound or prosperous state : well-being

weal

2 of 2 noun
: welt
Etymology

Noun

Old English wela "healthy state"

Noun

an altered form of wale "a streak or ridge made on the skin from a blow"

Medical Definition

weal

noun
: welt

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