well

well
Ⅰ.
well [1] ► ADVERB (better, best) 1) in a good or satisfactory way. 2) in a condition of prosperity or comfort. 3) in a favourable or approving manner. 4) in a thorough manner. 5) to a great extent or degree; very much. 6) Brit. informal very; extremely: he was well out of order. 7) very probably; in all likelihood. 8) without difficulty. 9) with good reason. 10) archaic luckily; opportunely: hail fellow, well met.
► ADJECTIVE (better, best) 1) in good health; free or recovered from illness. 2) in a satisfactory state or position. 3) sensible; advisable.
► EXCLAMATION ▪ used to express surprise, anger, resignation, etc., or when pausing in speech.
● as well — Cf. ↑just as well
● as well (or just as well) — Cf. ↑just as well
● be well out of — Cf. ↑be well out of
● be well up on — Cf. ↑be well up on
● leave (or let) well alone — Cf. ↑let well alone
● well and truly — Cf. ↑well and truly
USAGE When well is used with a past participle, such as ‘built’, and the resulting compound precedes the noun, it is advisable to use a hyphen, as in a tall, well-built man ; usually a hyphen is not used when the c ompound stands alone, as in her remarks were well intentioned .
ORIGIN Old English, probably related to WILL(Cf. ↑will).
Ⅱ.
well [2] ► NOUN 1) a shaft sunk into the ground to obtain water, oil, or gas. 2) a depression made to hold liquid. 3) a plentiful source or supply. 4) an enclosed space in the middle of a building, giving room for stairs or a lift or allowing light or ventilation.
► VERB (often well up) 1) (of a liquid) rise up to the surface and spill or be about to spill. 2) (of an emotion) arise and become more intense.
ORIGIN Old English.

English terms dictionary. 2015.

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  • Well — Well, adv. [Compar. and superl. wanting, the deficiency being supplied by better and best, from another root.] [OE. wel, AS. wel; akin to OS., OFries., & D. wel, G. wohl, OHG. wola, wela, Icel. & Dan. vel, Sw. v[ a]l, Goth. wa[ i]la; originally… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Well to do — Well Well, adv. [Compar. and superl. wanting, the deficiency being supplied by better and best, from another root.] [OE. wel, AS. wel; akin to OS., OFries., & D. wel, G. wohl, OHG. wola, wela, Icel. & Dan. vel, Sw. v[ a]l, Goth. wa[ i]la;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Well — Well, n. [OE. welle, AS. wella, wylla, from weallan to well up, surge, boil; akin to D. wel a spring or fountain. ????. See {Well}, v. i.] [1913 Webster] 1. An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain. [1913 Webster] Begin, then,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Well — is an English adverb with irregular comparison. Well may also refer to:* Water well, an artificial excavation or structure for the purpose of withdrawing water * Oil well, a hole drilled through the Earth s surface for the purpose of extracting… …   Wikipedia

  • Well — Well, a. [1913 Webster] 1. 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • WELL — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Sommaire 1 Informatique 2 Lingerie 3 Toponymie …   Wikipédia en Français

  • well-to-do — {adj.} Having or making enough money to live comfortably; prosperous. * /John s father owns a company and his family is well to do./ Often used with the like a plural noun. * /This is the part of town where the well to do live./ Compare: IN THE… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • well-to-do — {adj.} Having or making enough money to live comfortably; prosperous. * /John s father owns a company and his family is well to do./ Often used with the like a plural noun. * /This is the part of town where the well to do live./ Compare: IN THE… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • WELL — may refer to:* WELL FM, a radio station (88.7 FM) licensed to Dadeville, Alabama, United States * WELL LP, a low power television station (channel 45) licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States * WELL (virtual community), an online… …   Wikipedia

  • Well — Well, v. t. To pour forth, as from a well. Spenser. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Well — Well, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Welled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Welling}.] [OE. wellen, AS. wyllan, wellan, fr. weallan; akin to OFries. walla, OS. & OHG. wallan, G. wallen, Icel. vella, G. welle, wave, OHG. wella, walm, AS. wylm; cf. L. volvere to roll, Gr …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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