well

comparative better · superlative best · alternative dialectal wall · alternative Scotland weel · alternative Scotland weil · alternative US colloquial welp

1. mannerAccurately, competently, satisfactorily.

   He does his job well.

   5 more examples

   My RV runs well on diesel.

   The jacket looks good and fits you well.

   Recent events do not augur well for world peace.

   In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road.

   1852, Mrs M.A. Thompson, “The Tutor's Daughter”, in Graham's American Monthly Magazine of Literature, Art, and Fashion, page 266

   A chap named Eleazir Kendrick and I had chummed in together the summer afore and built a fish-weir and shanty at Setuckit Point, down Orham way. For a spell we done pretty well. Then there came a reg'lar terror of a sou'wester same as you don't get one summer in a thousand, and blowed the shanty flat and ripped about half of the weir poles out of the sand.

   1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter I, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC

   Synonyms: OK

2. mannerCompletely, fully.

   We’re well beat now.

   5 more examples

   I prefer a well done steak.

   Cook the potatoes well to ensure they aren't tough.

   I was well looked after by close relations.

   Carried somehow, somewhither, for some reason, on these surging floods, were these travelers,[…]. Even such a boat as the Mount Vernon offered a total deck space so cramped as to leave secrecy or privacy well out of the question, even had the motley and democratic assemblage of passengers been disposed to accord either.

   1910, Emerson Hough, chapter II, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC

   His overall color was similar to that of a well-boiled lobster.

   1957 July, Randall Garrett, “The Best Policy”, in Astounding Science Fiction

3. degreeTo a significant degree.

   That author is well known.

   4 more examples

   A monument well worth seeing

   Indeed, some readers may feel that I am beating a horse now already well dead. But in fact, that dead horse is still being driven daily through the pages of introductory textbooks.

   1995 Feb, Luke Timothy Johnson, “The New Testament and the examined life: Thoughts on teaching”, in The Christian Century, volume 112, number 4, page 108

   Energy markets demonstrated in the 1970s and 1980s that they were well capable of adapting to a perceived scarcity.

   2000, Colin Robinson, “Energy Economists and Economic Liberalism”, in Energy Journal, volume 21, number 2, page 1

   neither of us was paying attention to any damn imaginary scoring judges -- we were both well content, if a little fatigued.

   2006, Spider Robinson, Callahan's legacy

4. CommonwealthIrelandUKslangdegreeVery (as a general-purpose intensifier).

   Hey, you should've seen it, it was well good.

   2003, Steve Eddy, Empower, Book 2

   2 more examples

   That guy rocks! I think he's called Matthew Lillard or sommat but he is well cool in Scream.

   1999, Drummond Pearson, “What Ash are doing right now...”, in alt.music.ash (Usenet)

   Hey Dude / FIFA 2003 is well wicked, I've got FIFA 2002 on PS2, David Beckham on Xbox and Football Manager on Xbox too, out of all pf^([sic]) them FIFA 2003 is easliy^([sic]) the best.

   2002, jibaili, “FIFA 2003 How is it?”, in microsoft.public.xbox (Usenet)

5. In a desirable manner; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favourably; advantageously.

   I'm glad Joe got fired last week. I think we're well rid of him.

   4 more examples

   Whatever now the omen prove, It boded well to you.

   1675, John Dryden, Aureng-zebe: A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, […], published 1676, →OCLC, (please specify the page number)

   Know / In measure what the mind may well contain.

   1667, John Milton, “Book VII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   October 10, 1714, Alexander Pope, letter to Joseph Addison All the world speaks well of you.

   My Son Johnny, named ſo after his Uncle, was at the Grammar School, and a towardly Child. My daughter Betty (who is now well married, and has Children) was then at her Needle-Work.

   1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author, by a Lucky Accident, Finds Means to Leave Blefuscu; and, after Some Difficulties, Returns Safe to his Native Country.”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part I (A Voyage to Lilliput), page 147

comparative better · comparative weller · superlative best · superlative wellest · alternative val · alternative vell · alternative dialectal wall · alternative Scotland weel · alternative Scotland weil · alternative US colloquial welp

1. In good health.

   I've been sick, but now I'm well.

   2 more examples

   I've always been a healthy, fit woman, but right now I really don't feel very well.

   Mr. Peng said that the world-famous scientist, Sven Hedin, was kidnapped by troops under General Ma in south Sinkiang, but was released later, and is believed to be safe and well at Akosu.

   1934 July 14, “Sinkiang Chief Predicts Early Suppression of Rebels”, in The China Weekly Review, volume 69, number 7, →OCLC, page 257

   Synonyms: OK, hot

2. Highly satisfactory

   Everything well with you?

   Synonyms: OK

3. Good, content.

   “How are you?” — “I'm well, thank you!”

   1 more example

   Paulina. As she liu'd peerelesse, So her dead likenesse I doe well beleeue Excells what euer yet you look'd vpon, Or hand of Man hath done: therefore I keepe it Louely, apart. But here it is: prepare To see the Life as liuely mock'd, as euer Still Sleepe mock'd Death: behold, and say 'tis well.

   c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii]

   Synonyms: OK

4. uncommonPrudent; good; well-advised.

   On leaving the operating table it is well to put the patient in a bed previously warmed and supplied with hot cans.

   1897, National Association of Railway Surgeons, Railway surgeon, page 191

   2 more examples

   In this respect it would be well for you to depart from the standard format and to indicate why you did what you did.

   2014, Tom Mitchell, Assoc. Prof., “Psych 308/309 GUIDE FOR WRITING PROJECT REPORT”, in Academic website, archived from the original on 04 Dec 2014

   When executing bone scan protocols, it is well for one to be aware of how key deviations from optimal technique can degrade image quality.

   2004 September 1, Sleiman Y. Naddaf, MD with B. David Collier, MD, Abdelhamid H. Elgazzar, MD, and Magdy M. Khalil, MSc, “Technical Errors in Planar Bone Scanning”, in Kathy S. Thomas, editor, Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology, volume 32, number 3, Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging, archived from the original on 23 Apr 2021, page 149

5. archaicnow chiefly BermudaGood to eat; tasty, delicious.

   This wahoo tastes val.

   1984, Peter A. Smith, Fred M. Barritt, Bermewjan Vurds, Island Press

   1 more example

   Drunk, like, a gallon of orange mindral. Tasted wel.

   2013 September 5, James Burton, “Burton's Banter: Our rich dialogue — as moreish as a cold burr...”, in The Bermuda Sun, archived from the original on 12 Dec 2022

alternative dialectal wall · alternative Scotland weel · alternative Scotland weil · alternative US colloquial welp

1. Used as a discourse marker.

   “So, what have you been doing?” “Well, we went for a picnic; and then it started raining, so we came home early.”

   2 more examples

   A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF KINK HISTORY Do we know how kinky practices began? Do we know who the first kinky people were? Well, no.

   2005, Annabelle du Fouet, “The murky world from whence it all came” (chapter 2), in Weather Balloons Make Rotten Sex Toys, Ellora's Cave, →ISBN, page 32

   Well, I am sorry. — It’s okay, Anna.

   2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)

   1. Used as a hedge.

      “I didn't like the music.” “Well, I thought it was good.”

      4 more examples

      “The car is broken.” “Well, we could walk to the movies instead.”

      I forgot to pack the tent! Well, I guess we’re sleeping under the stars tonight.

      “Well,” I says, “I cal’late a body could get used to Tophet if he stayed there long enough.” ¶ She flared up; the least mite of a slam at Doctor Wool was enough to set her going.

      1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter V, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC

      If gold pleased the conqueror, well, That gold should be the one thing The conqueror henceforth should lack.

      1936, Robert Frost, “The Vindictives”, in A Further Range

   2. Expressing reluctance to say something.

      It was a bit... well, too loud.

      1 more example

      “Well,” I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, “he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one.” ¶ “So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?” ¶ I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity.

      1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC

      Synonyms: like, you know, I mean, like

2. An exclamation of sarcastic surprise (often doubled or tripled and in a lowering intonation).

   Well, well, well, what do we have here?

3. An exclamation of indignance.

   Well! There was no need to say that in front of my mother!

4. IrelandUsed as a greeting, short for "Are you well?"

   Well, lads? How's things?

5. Used as a question to demand an answer from someone.

   And what do you think you're doing? ... Well?

plural wells

1. A hole sunk into the ground as a source of water, oil, natural gas or other fluids.

   The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, John iv:11

   1 more example

   By the end of the tenth century, Edith's humility had inspired a cult of holy wells in Kent, Staffordshire, and Herefordshire.

   1999, Robert Lacey, Danny Danziger, The Year 1000: What life was like at the turn of The First Millennium, London: Abacus, published 2000, page 170

2. A place where a liquid such as water surfaces naturally; a spring.

   Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well.

   1646 (indicated as 1645), John Milton, Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], →OCLC

3. A small depression, e.g. suitable for holding liquid or other objects.

   Make a well in the dough mixture and pour in the milk.

   1 more example

   Four fixed windows are fitted on the corridor side of the body and nine louvred air intakes on the opposite side. Rubber water drainage pipes are taken from these, and from the pantograph roof well, down the inside of the body.

   1960 February 28, “High-Voltage Electric Locomotive for British Railways”, in Railway Magazine, page 125

4. figurativelyA source of supply.

   Dan Chaucer, well of English undefyled

   1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto II”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 32

   2 more examples

   A well of serious thought and pure, / Too deep for earthly light.

   1827, [John Keble], “St. Philip and St. James”, in The Christian Year: Thoughts in Verse for the Sundays and Holydays throughout the Year, volume II, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] [B]y W. Baxter, for J. Parker; and C[harles] and J[ohn] Rivington, […], →OCLC, page 130

   News of the deaths of James Baldwin and Richard Bruce Nugent in 1987 seemed to signal the death of an era — an era which produced works of monumental significance for Black lesbians and gay men; works such as Giovanni's Room, Just Above My Head, and "Smoke, Lillies, and Jade." As a fledgling Black gay writer, this was the well from which I drew succor.

   1989 February 5, Craig G. Harris, “Your Life's All In Your Dreams And Your Dreams Are All In Your Life”, in Gay Community News, volume 16, number 29, page 9

5. nauticalA vertical, cylindrical trunk in a ship, reaching down to the lowest part of the hull, through which the bilge pumps operate.
6. nauticalThe cockpit of a sailboat.
7. nauticalA 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 to keep fish alive while they are transported to market.
8. nauticalA vertical passage in the stern into which an auxiliary screw propeller may be drawn up out of the water.
9. governmentA hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.

   Synonyms: shaft

10. architectureAn opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.
11. The open space between the bench and the counsel tables in a courtroom.
12. artsThe lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.
13. A well drink.

    They're having a special tonight: $1 wells.

14. video gamesThe playfield of Tetris and similar video games, into which the blocks fall.

    Tetris, the most widely played computer game of all time, is a problem-solving puzzle game. […] The player attempts to lock the falling shape smoothly together with the shapes in the well.

    2005, James Paul Gee, Why Video Games are Good for Your Soul

15. biologyIn a microtiter plate, each of the small equal circular or square sections which serve as test tubes.
16. computingThe region of an interface that contains tabs.

    You can reposition the order of documents in the window by clicking and dragging the tabs, or you can drag a tab out of the well and view a document in its own floating window.

    2011, Ted LoCascio, Using Adobe InDesign CS5, Enhanced Edition, pages 2-12

    1 more example

    You should now have three documents open with their tabs showing in the tab well (this refers to the row of tabs for each open document in the editor), as shown in the following screenshot: […]

    2016, Jeff Martin, Visual Studio 2015 Cookbook, page 15

present singular third person wells · participle present welling · participle past welled · past welled

1. intransitiveTo issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.

   [Yon spring] wells softly forth.

   1824, William Cullen Bryant, A Forest Hymn

   1 more example

   [Blood] welled from out the wound.

   1697, Virgil, “The Tenth Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

2. intransitiveTo have something seep out of the surface.

   Her eyes welled with tears.

1. A small village in Long Sutton parish, Hart district, Hampshire, England (OS grid ref SU7646).
2. A small village and civil parish in East Lindsey district, Lincolnshire, England (OS grid ref TF4473).
3. A village and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England, previously in Hambleton district (OS grid ref SE2681).
4. A village in Maasdriel municipality, Gelderland province, Netherlands.
5. A village in Bergen municipality, Limburg province, Netherlands.