Definition of well
1a : an issue of water from the earth : a pool fed by a springb : source, origin
2a : a pit or hole sunk into the earth to reach a supply of waterb : a shaft or hole sunk to obtain oil, brine, or gas
3a : an enclosure in the middle of a ship's hold to protect from damage and facilitate the inspection of the pumpsb : a compartment in the hold of a fishing boat in which fish are kept alive
4 : an open space extending vertically through floors of a structure
5 : a space having a construction or shape suggesting a well for water
6a : something resembling a well in being damp, cool, deep, or darkb : a deep vertical holec : a source from which something may be drawn as needed
7 : a pronounced minimum of a variable in physics a potential well
Explore M-W
Examples of well in a Sentence
his quirkily dysfunctional family proved to be a bottomless well of inspiration for the novelist
the spot where the spring bubbles up to the surface and forms a deep well
Origin and Etymology of well
Middle English welle, from Old English; akin to Old English weallan to bubble, boil, Old High German wella wave, Lithuanian vilnis
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Civil Engineering Terms
well
Definition of well
intransitive verb
1 : to rise to the surface and usually flow forth tears welled from her eyes
2 : to rise like a flood of liquid longing welled up in his breast
transitive verb
: to emit in a copious free flow
Origin and Etymology of well
Middle English, from Old English wellan to cause to well; akin to Old English weallan to bubble, boil
First Known Use: 12th century
well
Definition of well
better
play play \ˈbe-tər\;best
play play \ˈbest\1a : in a good or proper manner : justly, rightlyb : satisfactorily with respect to conduct or action did well in math works well under pressure
2 : in a kindly or friendly manner spoke well of your idea wished them well
3a : with skill or aptitude : expertly, excellently paints wellb : satisfactorily the plan worked wellc : with good appearance or effect : elegantly carried himself well
4 : with careful or close attention : attentively watch well what I do
5 : to a high degree well deserved the honor a well-equipped kitchen —often used as an intensifier or qualifier there are … vacancies pretty well all the time — Listener
7a : in a way appropriate to the facts or circumstances : fittingly, rightly well saidb : in a prudent manner : sensibly —used with do you would do well to reread the material
8 : in accordance with the occasion or circumstances : with propriety or good reason cannot well refuse the decision may well be questioned
as well
good vs. well
Adverbial good has been under attack from the schoolroom since the 19th century. Insistence on well rather than good has resulted in a split in connotation: well is standard, neutral, and colorless, while good is emotionally charged and emphatic. This makes good the adverb of choice in sports. “I'm seeing the ball real good” is what you hear — Roger Angell In such contexts as listen up. And listen good — Alex Karras lets fly with his tomatoes before they can flee. He gets Clarence good — Charles Dickinson good cannot be adequately replaced by well. Adverbial good is primarily a spoken form; in writing it occurs in reported and fictional speech and in generally familiar or informal contexts.
Examples of well in a Sentence
“How did everything go?” “It went well, thank you.”
She works well under pressure.
I did surprisingly well on my history test.
The company is doing well.
He has his own business and is doing well for himself.
You got a perfect score! Well done!
She sings and plays the guitar quite well.
The essay is well written.
He doesn't smoke or drink, and he eats well.
She doesn't treat her boyfriend very well.
Origin and Etymology of well
Middle English wel, going back to Old English, going back to Germanic *welō (whence Old Frisian wol, wel, wal “in a good manner,” Old Saxon wola, wela, wala, Old High German wola, Old Norse vel, val), from an adjectival derivative of the base of *weljan- “to want” — more at 1will
First Known Use: before 12th century
well
Definition of well
1 —used to indicate resumption of discourse or to introduce a remark they are, well, not quite what you'd expect
2 —used to express surprise or expostulation well, what have we here?
Before 12th Century
First Known Use of well
before 12th century
well
Definition of well
1a : prosperous, well-offb : being in satisfactory condition or circumstances
2 : being in good standing or favor
3 : satisfactory, pleasing all's well that ends well
5a : free or recovered from infirmity or disease : healthy he's not a well manb : completely cured or healed the wound is nearly well
6 : pleasing or satisfactory in appearance our garden looks well — Conrad Aiken
7 : being a cause for thankfulness : fortunate it is well that this has happened
good vs. well
An old notion that it is wrong to say “I feel good” in reference to health still occasionally appears in print. The origins of this notion are obscure, but they seem to combine someone's idea that good should be reserved to describe virtue and uncertainty about whether an adverb or an adjective should follow feel. Today nearly everyone agrees that both good and well can be predicate adjectives after feel. Both are used to express good health, but good may connote good spirits in addition to good health.
Examples of well in a Sentence
The children are well again.
I don't feel very well.
You don't look so well.
I hope you get well soon.
I hope all is well with you and your family.
Before 12th Century
First Known Use of well
before 12th century
Synonym Discussion of well
WELL Defined for English Language Learners
well
playDefinition of well for English Language Learners
-
: a deep hole made in the ground through which water can be removed
well
Definition of well for English Language Learners
-
of a liquid : to rise to a surface and flow out
well
Definition of well for English Language Learners
-
: in a successful way
-
: in a skillful way
-
: in a good, proper, or positive way
well
Definition of well for English Language Learners
-
—used to show that you are unsure about something you are saying
-
—used to show that you accept something even though you are not happy about it
-
—used when you are trying to persuade someone or to make someone feel less upset, worried, etc.
well
Definition of well for English Language Learners
-
: in good health
-
: in a good or satisfactory state
-
: wise, sensible, or reasonable
WELL Defined for Kids
Definition of well for Students
better
\ˈbe-tər\;best
\ˈbest\1 : in a skillful or expert manner He plays the guitar well.
2 : by as much as possible : completely We are well aware of the problem.
3 : in such a way as to be pleasing : as wanted Everything went well.
4 : without trouble We could well afford the cost.
5 : in a thorough manner Shake well before using.
6 : in a familiar manner I know them well.
7 : by quite a lot There was well over a million.
8 : so as to be right : in a satisfactory way Do your work well.
as well
Definition of well for Students
1 —used to express surprise or doubt Well! I didn't expect to see you!
2 —used to begin a conversation or remark or to continue one that was interrupted Well, now where was I?
Definition of well for Students
1 : a hole made in the earth to reach a natural deposit (as of water, oil, or gas)
2 : a source of supply He was a well of news.
3 : something like a deep hole Voices echoed in the well of the great hall.
Definition of well for Students
welled
;welling
: to rise to the surface and flow out Tears welled up in her eyes.
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about well
-
See words that rhyme with well Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for well Spanish Central: Translation of well Nglish: Translation of well for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of well for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up well? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!