1
a
: in a successful way
"How did everything go?" "It went well, thank you."
The plan worked well.
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!
b
: in a skillful way
She sings and plays the guitar quite well.
The essay is well written.
c
: in a good, proper, or positive way
He doesn't smoke or drink, and he eats well.
She doesn't treat her boyfriend very well.
Did he take the news well? [=did he respond to the news in a positive way?]
The decision did not sit well with him. [=he was not happy about the decision]
d
: in a kind, friendly, or generous way
The novel was well received by the critics.
They always speak well of you.
I wish her well. [=I hope she does well; I hope that she succeeds]
He means well [=he has good intentions], but he's not really helping anyone.
The company did well by me when I retired. [=the company treated me well when I retired]
2
: completely or fully
We are well aware of the problem.
The food at the restaurant is well worth the trip.
Their kitchen is well equipped.
Your promotion is well deserved.
The plane was well out of sight.
I can understand your dilemma very well.
She knows the area quite well.
I knew him well when we were in high school together.
I remember her well enough. = I remember her fairly well.
3
: to a great degree or extent
The group has sold well over a million albums.
The temperature will be well [=far] above average today. It will be well into the nineties.
He is well on his way to becoming a superstar.
I'm well into the book and should finish it soon.
She walked well ahead of the group.
4
a
—used for emphasis to say that something is or is not proper, appropriate, etc.
She's angry, and well she should be. [=she has a good reason to be angry]
—usually used with can, could, may, or mightI cannot very well refuse the invitation. [=it would be improper for me to refuse the invitation]
I couldn't very well just walk right in!
And what, one might/may well ask, makes this computer system worth its high price?
The decision may well be questioned.
b
: very possibly
—usually used with could, may, or might
You could very well be right. [=it is very possible that you are right]
The concert may well be sold-out. [=it is possible/likely that the concert is sold-out]
It may well be true.
c
: without doubt or question
They can well afford to be generous.
As you well know, I don't approve of this. = As you know very well, I don't approve of this.
You know perfectly well how to do it.
Their relationship is well and truly over.
5
a
Note: To live well is to live in the comfortable and enjoyable way of people who have a lot of money, possessions, etc.
b
Note: To marry well is to marry someone who has high social status, wealth, etc.
better; best
1
: in good health : healthy
The children are well again.
He is not well. = He is not a well man.
I don't feel very well.
You don't look so well.
I hope you get well soon.
2
not used before a noun
: in a good or satisfactory state
I hope all is well with you and your family.
We almost didn't make it here, but all's well that ends well. [=we can forget about how unpleasant or difficult it was because everything ended in a good way]
I should have left/let well (enough) alone [=I should not have tried to make the situation better], but instead I tried to help and only made things worse.
3
not used before a noun formal
: wise, sensible, or reasonable
It might be well [=it might be a good idea] for you to leave now.
It would be as well for you to get some rest. [=you should get some rest]
1
—used to show that you are unsure about something you are saying
They are, well, not quite what you'd expect.
"How old is he?" "Well, let me see now…"
"Can you explain how it works?" "Well, I can try."
Well, I suppose I could help you just this once.
2
—used to show that you accept something even though you are not happy about it
"I'm sorry about the mix-up." "Well, that's OK. These things happen."
Oh, very well. I suppose we can finish this discussion tomorrow.
"We're busy this week." "Oh, well, maybe we can get together next week."
3
—used when you are trying to persuade someone or to make someone feel less upset, worried, etc.
Well, maybe it won't be that bad.
Well, you should at least consider their offer before you reject it.
4
—used when you are saying in a mild way that you disapprove of or disagree with something
Well, what if you're wrong?
Well, I still think my way is better.
5
—used to show that you are waiting for someone to say or do something
Well, what have you decided?
Well, don't just stand there—give me a hand!
6
—used to say that something has ended or to make a final statement about something
Well, we'd better get going.
Well, that's all of it.
Well, thanks for everything.
Well then, it's all set. There's nothing more to do.
7
—used to begin a story or explanation or to continue one that was interrupted
Well, what happened was this. I fell asleep.
Well, as I was saying, I had never been there before.
You know Tom, don't you? Well, I ran into him yesterday.
"He speaks excellent Spanish." "Well, after all, he did study in Spain for a couple of years."
8
—used to express happiness or relief
"We're getting married." "Well, that's great news! Congratulations!"
"The doctor says it's nothing serious." "Well, thank goodness!"
9
—used to express surprise or annoyance
Well, well, what do we have here?
Well, hello! I wasn't expecting you so soon.
Well, if it isn't my old friend Tom!
Is that so? Well, I never would have guessed.
Well! It's about time you showed up!
10
—used when you want to correct a previous statement
Everyone—well, almost everyone—attended the meeting.
wells; welled; welling
of a liquid
: to rise to a surface and flow out
—usually + up
Tears of joy welled up in her eyes. [=her eyes filled with tears of joy]
—often used figurativelyHe felt anger welling up inside him. [=he felt himself becoming angry]
Cite this Entry
“Well.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/well. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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