well
adverb · adjective · noun · verb
Simple meaning
In a good or proper or satisfactory way or to a high standard.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
wehlIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈwɛl
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
adverb
manner
Thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form
often used as a combining form
In a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well')
mannerused for emphasis or as an intensifier
Entirely or fully
manner
Completely, fully.
manner
Accurately, competently, satisfactorily.
degree
To a suitable or appropriate extent or degree
adjective
In good health.
Good, content.
noun
A hole sunk into the ground as a source of water, oil, natural gas or other fluids.
A place where a liquid such as water surfaces naturally; a spring.
A small depression suitable for holding liquid or other objects.
figurative
A source of supply.
A well drink.
The open space between the bench and the counsel tables in a courtroom.
verb
intransitive
To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
intransitive
To have something seep out of the surface.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A1 · Beginner (estimated)
- Frequency
- Very Common
- Typical Use
- Everyday English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: In a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well')
Used this way, well is a reasonably familiar word with a mildly favourable edge. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Slightly positive
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Moderate
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Positive and appreciative
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use well
- “I'm afraid the film was well over budget.”adverb
- “Their neighbors spoke well of them.”adverb
- “You would do well to say nothing more.”adverb
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
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Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Word family
Words built from the same root.
A healthy state of wellbeing free from disease.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
At an opportune time.
Come up (as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things).
Underground water that is held in the soil and in pervious rocks.
Someone who shares your feelings or opinions and hopes that you will be successful.
An expression of good will from one person to another.
Flow freely and abundantly.
Related words
Connected by subject or meaning, not by word formation.
The source of water for a well.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.