Definition for the word well

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This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

adverb

in a good or satisfactory manner: Business is going well.

thoroughly, carefully, or soundly: to shake well before using; listen well.

in a moral or proper manner: to behave well.

commendably, meritoriously, or excellently: a difficult task well done.

with propriety, justice, or reason: I could not well refuse.

adequately or sufficiently: Think well before you act.

to a considerable extent or degree (often used in combination): a sum well over the amount agreed upon;a well-developed theme.

with great or intimate knowledge: to know a person well.

certainly; without doubt: I anger easily, as you well know.

with good nature; without rancor: He took the joke well.

adjective, comparative bet·ter,superlative best.

in good health; sound in body and mind: Are you well? He is not a well man.

satisfactory, pleasing, or good: All is well with us.

proper, fitting, or gratifying: It is well that you didn’t go.

in a satisfactory position; well-off: I am very well as I am.

interjection

(used to express surprise, reproof, etc.): Well! There’s no need to shout.

(used to introduce a sentence, resume a conversation, etc.): Well, who would have thought he could do it?

noun

well-being; good fortune; success: to wish well to someone.

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Idioms about well

    as well,

    1. in addition; also; too: She insisted on directing the play and on producing it as well.
    2. equally: The town grew as well because of its location as because of its superb climate.

    as well as, as much or as truly as; equally as: Joan is witty as well as intelligent.

    leave well enough alone, avoid changing something that is satisfactory.

Origin of well

1

First recorded before 900; Middle English adverb wel, wel(l)e, wil, Old English adjective and adverb wel(l); cognate with Dutch wel, Old High German wela, wola, German wohl, Old Norse vel, Gothic waila; akin to Old English wyllan “to wish,” Latin velle “to wish”; see also will1

grammar notes for well

Sometimes an adverb like well is so often placed in front of and combined with a certain past participle in order to modify it that the resulting adjectival combination achieves the status of a common word and is listed in dictionaries. In Dictionary.com you will find, for example, entries for well-advised and well-mannered; for ill-advised, ill-bred, and ill-conceived; and for half-baked and half-cocked. Some of these terms are given full definitions, while others are considered such obvious combinations that you can figure out for yourself what they must mean. It is important to note, however, that compound adjectives like these are hyphenated for use before the noun they modify together. Thus we say that someone is “a well-loved professor,” but there would be no hyphen between well and loved in a sentence like “My English professor is well loved and deserves the award.”
In a similar manner, adjectival compounds formed with better, best, little, lesser, least, etc., are also hyphenated when placed before the noun ( a little-understood theory ), but the hyphen is dropped when the adjectival combination follows the noun ( his films are best known in England ) or is itself modified by an adverb ( a too little understood theory ).
There are exceptions to this pattern. For example, when the combining adverb ends in –ly, no hyphen is required, whether the resulting adjectival combination appears before or after the noun: a highly regarded surgeon; a surgeon who is highly regarded.
Don’t let the hyphens fool you. Punctuation can be tricky!

usage note for well

Words nearby well

welfare statism, welfare work, welfarism, welkin, Welkom, well, well-accepted, well-accustomed, well-acquainted, well-acted, well-adapted

Other definitions for well (2 of 3)

noun

a hole drilled or bored into the earth to obtain water, petroleum, natural gas, brine, or sulfur.

a spring or natural source of water.

an apparent reservoir or a source of human feelings, emotions, energy, etc.: He was a well of gentleness and courtesy.

a container, receptacle, or reservoir for a liquid: the well of ink in a fountain pen.

any sunken or deep, enclosed space, as a shaft for air or light, stairs, or an elevator, extending vertically through the floors of a building.

Nautical.

  1. a part of a weather deck between two superstructures, extending from one side of a vessel to the other.
  2. a compartment or enclosure around a ship’s pumps to make them easily accessible and protect them from being damaged by the cargo.

a hollow compartment, recessed area, or depression for holding a specific item or items, as fish in the bottom of a boat or the retracted wheels of an airplane in flight.

any shaft dug or bored into the earth, as for storage space or a mine.

verb (used without object)

to rise, spring, or gush, as water, from the earth or some other source (often followed by up, out, or forth): Tears welled up in my eyes.

verb (used with object)

to send welling up or forth: a fountain welling its pure water.

adjective

like, of, resembling, from, or used in connection with a well.

Origin of well

2

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun wel(le), Old English wylle, wella, welle; cognate with German Welle “wave”; Middle English wellen, wel(le), Old English wellan, willan, wyllan; cognate with Dutch wellen, Old Norse vella; both noun and verb ultimately akin to weallan “to boil, bubble up”

Other definitions for well (3 of 3)

we’ll

[ weel; unstressed wil ]

/ wil; unstressed wɪl /

usage note for we’ll

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to well

strong, together, good, accurately, adequately, carefully, closely, completely, correctly, effectively, efficiently, fully, nicely, properly, smoothly, strongly, successfully, thoroughly, appropriately, easily

How to use well in a sentence

  • The best comparison here for an American audience is, well, Internet stuff.

  • Then add in all bored people, as well as people whose job it is to report on celebrities.

  • The well, ghost or no ghost, is certainly a piece of history with a bold presence.

  • In front of this strange structure are two blank-faced, well-dressed models showing off the latest in European minimalism.

  • It is the obligation of citizens and journalists as well as governments.

  • Mrs. Wurzel was quite right; they had been supplied, regardless of cost, from Messrs. Rochet and Stole’s well-known establishment.

  • The big room at King’s Warren Parsonage was already fairly well filled.

  • The country is well inhabited, for it contains fifty-one cities, near a hundred walled towns, and a great number of villages.

  • Before he could finish the sentence the Hole-keeper said snappishly, «Well, drop out again—quick!»

  • Old Mrs. Wurzel and the buxom but not too well-favoured heiress of the house of Grains were at the head of the table.

British Dictionary definitions for well (1 of 3)

adverb better or best

(often used in combination) in a satisfactory mannerthe party went very well

(often used in combination) in a good, skilful, or pleasing mannershe plays the violin well

in a correct or careful mannerlisten well to my words

in a comfortable or prosperous mannerto live well

(usually used with auxiliaries) suitably; fittinglyyou can’t very well say that

intimatelyI knew him well

in a kind or favourable mannershe speaks well of you

to a great or considerable extent; fullyto be well informed

by a considerable marginlet me know well in advance

(preceded by could, might, or may) indeedyou may well have to do it yourself

informal (intensifier)well safe

all very well used ironically to express discontent, dissent, etc

as well

  1. in addition; too
  2. (preceded by may or might) with equal effectyou might as well come
  3. just as well preferable or advisableit would be just as well if you paid me now

as well as in addition to

just leave well alone or just leave well enough alone to refrain from interfering with something that is satisfactory

well and good used to indicate calm acceptance, as of a decisionif you accept my offer, well and good

well up in well acquainted with (a particular subject); knowledgeable about

adjective (usually postpositive)

(when prenominal, usually used with a negative) in good healthI’m very well, thank you; he’s not a well man

satisfactory, agreeable, or pleasing

prudent; advisableit would be well to make no comment

prosperous or comfortable

fortunate or happyit is well that you agreed to go

interjection

  1. an expression of surprise, indignation, or reproof
  2. an expression of anticipation in waiting for an answer or remark

sentence connector

an expression used to preface a remark, gain time, etcwell, I don’t think I will come

Word Origin for well

Old English wel; related to Old High German wala, wola (German wohl), Old Norse val, Gothic waila

British Dictionary definitions for well (2 of 3)

noun

a hole or shaft that is excavated, drilled, bored, or cut into the earth so as to tap a supply of water, oil, gas, etc

a natural pool where ground water comes to the surface

  1. a cavity, space, or vessel used to contain a liquid
  2. (in combination)an inkwell

an open shaft through the floors of a building, such as one used for a staircase

a deep enclosed space in a building or between buildings that is open to the sky to permit light and air to enter

  1. a bulkheaded compartment built around a ship’s pumps for protection and ease of access
  2. another word for cockpit

a perforated tank in the hold of a fishing boat for keeping caught fish alive

(in England) the open space in the centre of a law court

a source, esp one that provides a continuous supplyhe is a well of knowledge

verb

to flow or cause to flow upwards or outwardstears welled from her eyes

Word Origin for well

Old English wella; related to Old High German wella (German Welle wave), Old Norse vella boiling heat

British Dictionary definitions for well (3 of 3)

Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for well

A deep hole or shaft sunk into the Earth to tap a liquid or gaseous substance such as water, oil, gas, or brine. If the substance is not under sufficient pressure to flow freely from the well, it must be pumped or raised mechanically to the surface. Water or pressurized gas is sometimes pumped into a nonproducing oil well to push petroleum resources out of underground reservoirs. See also artesian well.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with well

In addition to the idioms beginning with well

  • well and good
  • well off
  • well out of, be
  • well preserved

also see:

  • alive and kicking (well)
  • all’s well that ends well
  • all very well
  • as well
  • as well as
  • augur well for
  • damn well
  • do well
  • full well
  • get well
  • hanged for a sheep, might as well be
  • leave well enough alone
  • only too (well)
  • sit well with
  • think a lot (well) of
  • to a fare-thee-well
  • very well
  • wear well

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Источник

Recent Examples on the Web



Storage nets, spare tire placement, and freedom from intrusions (e.g., wheel wells, asymmetry, etc.) are also considered.


—Brett Berk, Good Housekeeping, 4 Apr. 2023




But until water pipelines ruptured in the floods are repaired, these wells are the only source of water for those in Icidua and communities like it.


—Tom Gould, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Apr. 2023




Skiers and snowboarders should also watch for tree wells in the deep snow, the resort said.


—Austindedios, oregonlive, 1 Apr. 2023




Tree skiing also brings potential terrain hazards like tree wells, holes that form at the base of a tree hidden by snow, warned Karl.


—Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2023




Completely off-grid, the lodge runs off solar panels, uses of thermal heating, and all of the property’s water comes from an on-property well and is recycled after use.


—Breanna Wilson, CNN, 30 Mar. 2023




Kewaunee County, in northeastern Wisconsin, is home to 16 industrial farms and has been struggling with agricultural pollution for years after testing showed levels of contaminants in residents’ private drinking water wells.


—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2023




When survivors tried to escape into the Omaheke desert, the general set up a perimeter to enclose them, secured all wells and water sources and ordered those fleeing from the desert to be shot on sight.


—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2023




This industrial cleaner is specially designed to wash away build-up from tires, floor mats, and wheel wells—at a wallet-friendly price.


—Nor’adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Mar. 2023



Fear welled in the pit of his stomach that he could still be hauled back off to jail at any time.


—Krista Torralva, Dallas News, 22 Mar. 2023




While they’re frequently known as the emotional trio of Western astrology, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces have a lot more welling up inside.


—Madison Feller, ELLE, 21 Mar. 2023




Tears welled in Anderson’s eyes.


—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2023




ElijahKing turned away from the group, his eyes welling up.


—Lulu Ramadan, ProPublica, 19 Feb. 2023




That was when her eyes would well up.


—Ann Patchett, Harper’s Magazine, 5 Jan. 2021




The wail of his abused spirit seems to well up subtly in his eyes, the weight of endured indignities seems to bow his shoulders and furrow his brow.


—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2023




Over its century-plus span, the Big Book grew to well over 1,000 pages and sold more than 100,000 items, including tools, hardware, apparel, appliances, furniture, sporting goods, auto supplies, farm equipment and entertainment centers.


—Leo Deluca, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Jan. 2023




Those snippets could range from around 100 words to well over 1,000.


—Time, 18 Jan. 2023



Might as well try out the Final Dab from Hot Ones.


—Leah Campano, Seventeen, 8 Apr. 2023




And changes are in store for the Columbia River as well, with Oregon and Washington biologists crafting their own fall seasons in an effort to avoid last year’s pre-Labor Day shutdown of the Buoy 10 chinook fishery.


—Bill Monroe, oregonlive, 8 Apr. 2023




Our clients, who are also dear friends, are creatives as well and collaborated with us a lot on this project.


—Allison Duncan, House Beautiful, 8 Apr. 2023




The power settings are a great feature as well.


—Sabrina Talbert, Women’s Health, 8 Apr. 2023




Their hard outsole often provides superb traction and grip on all terrains as well.


—Christian Gollayan, menshealth.com, 8 Apr. 2023




Anyone who travels with a larger number of gadgets would do well with a laptop bag with ample pockets and padding.


—Austa Somvichian-clausen, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2023




The rest of the round did not go as well, and the former Mountain Brook High School standout carded a 5-over-par 77 at Augusta National Golf Club.


—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 7 Apr. 2023




Whatever truths may have sparked a hundred text messages between Fox News personalities stayed buried as well, out of either fear of lower ratings or helpless fealty to Trump.


—Alex Thomas, The New Republic, 7 Apr. 2023



The duo has announced an epic experience to ensure football fans celebrate the big game in style, because, well, who doesn’t want to watch the Eagles and Chiefs over caviar and cognac?


—Dana Givens, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2023




And well, the life of a sports columnist in Cincinnati is never done.


—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2023




Economically told and cleverly calibrated to maximize its claustrophobic setting, it’s among the most effective films the director has delivered since his mid-career slump, making this a door well worth opening.


—Brian Lowry, CNN, 2 Feb. 2023




Yes, the timing was a little off compared to the typical timeline, but what better time to take a break from the hectic day-to-day of planning a wedding than, well, before the actual wedding?


—Sarah Spellings, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2023




The heart pieces below reflect the shift in heart jewelry that inspired my own, well, change of heart.


—Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 2 Feb. 2023




The revolver remains symbolic, but it … well, this part can’t be told without spoiling the story.


—H.w. Brands, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2023




And beyond that, picks belonging to the Knicks might be perceived as more attractive because, well, the Knicks are the Knicks.


—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Feb. 2023




But a lot of writing about the future is, well, wrong.


—Jd Shadel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Feb. 2023



Grateful for all the well wishes….


—Philip Ellis, Men’s Health, 10 Apr. 2023




Thanks to Chris & everyone for the well wishes.


—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2023




Rumors of behind-the-scenes friction have been circulating since February—in particular regarding the show’s star Kevin Costner and Sheridan—and to some, the failure to appear seemed like yet another indicator that all is not well with the ranching drama.


—Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 7 Apr. 2023




Seth Meyers stopped by Studio 8H to offer well wishes.


—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 Apr. 2023




Temple authorities had stopped using the well years ago and covered the mouth with iron grills and tiles.


—Ashok Sharma, ajc, 31 Mar. 2023




With a voice well laid back, or bien tumbada, and an octave deeper than usual, the Inglewood star leaves the past behind her and pushes forward with lyrics that express better days ahead.


—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2023




Some devices have built-in speakers as well, but most will prompt you to connect a Bluetooth device for a better listening experience.


—Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2023




State Superintendent Mackey said private schools that accept the education savings account funds to enroll children should be required to give the standardized tests that public schools give to assess how well students are learning.


—Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 5 Mar. 2023


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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘well.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Источник

well 1

 (wĕl)

n.

1. A deep hole or shaft sunk into the earth to obtain water, oil, gas, or brine.

2. A container or reservoir for a liquid, such as ink.

3.

a. A place where water issues from the earth; a spring or fountain.

b. A mineral spring.

c. wells A watering place; a spa.

4. An abundant source: a well of information.

5. An open space extending vertically through the floors of a building, as for stairs or ventilation.

6. Nautical

a. An enclosure in a ship’s hold for the pumps.

b. A compartment or recessed area in a ship, used for stowage: an anchor well.

c. A part of a ship’s weather deck enclosed between two watertight bulkheads.

7. A cistern with a perforated bottom in the hold of a fishing vessel for keeping fish alive.

8. An enclosed space for receiving and holding something, such as the wheels of an airplane when retracted.

9. Chiefly British The central space in a law court, directly in front of the judge’s bench, where the counsel or solicitor sits.

v. welled, well·ing, wells

v.intr.

1. To rise to the surface, ready to flow: Tears welled in my eyes.

2. To rise or surge from an inner source: Anger welled up in me.

well 2

 (wĕl)

adv. bet·ter (bĕt′ər), best (bĕst)

1. In a good or proper manner: behaved well.

2. Skillfully or proficiently: dances well.

3. Satisfactorily or sufficiently: slept well.

4. Successfully or effectively: gets along well with people.

5. In a comfortable or affluent manner: lived well.

6. In a manner affording benefit or gain; advantageously: married well.

7. With reason or propriety; reasonably: can’t very well say no.

8. In all likelihood; indeed: You may well need your umbrella.

9. In a prudent or sensible manner: You would do well to say nothing more.

10. In a close or familiar manner: knew them well.

11. In a favorable or approving manner: spoke well of them.

12. Thoroughly; completely: well cooked; cooked well.

13. Perfectly; clearly: I well understand your intentions.

14. To a suitable or appropriate degree: This product will answer your needs equally well.

15. To a considerable extent or degree: well over the estimate.

16. With care or attention: listened well.

17. Entirely; fully: well worth seeing.

adj. better, best

1. In a satisfactory condition; right or proper: All is well.

2.

a. Not ailing, infirm, or diseased; healthy. See Synonyms at healthy.

b. Cured or healed, as a wound.

c. Of or characterized by the maintenance of good health practices. Often used in combination: a well-baby clinic; a well-child visit to the doctor.

3.

a. Advisable; prudent: It would be well not to ask.

b. Fortunate; good: It is well that you stayed.

interj.

1. Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation.

2. Used to express surprise.

Idioms:

as well

1. In addition; also: mentioned other matters as well.

2. With equal effect: I might as well go.

in well with Informal

In a position to influence or be favored by: He’s in well with management.

Usage Note: English speakers have used well both as an adjective and as an adverb since Old English times. When applied to people, the adjective well usually refers to a state of health. Like similar adjectives, such as ill and faint, well in this use is normally restricted to the predicate, as in He hasn’t been well lately. Well does see occasional use before a noun, as in Benjamin Franklin’s «Poor Dick eats like a well man, and drinks like a sick.» It also appears in compound adjectives like well-baby and well-child, which are widely used by health-care providers. Good, on the other hand, has a much wider range of senses, including «attractive,» as in He looks good, and «competent,» as in She’s pretty good for a beginner, as well as «healthy.» See Usage Note at good.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

well

(wɛl)

adv, better or best

1. (often used in combination) in a satisfactory manner: the party went very well.

2. (often used in combination) in a good, skilful, or pleasing manner: she plays the violin well.

3. in a correct or careful manner: listen well to my words.

4. in a comfortable or prosperous manner: to live well.

5. (usually used with auxiliaries) suitably; fittingly: you can’t very well say that.

6. intimately: I knew him well.

7. in a kind or favourable manner: she speaks well of you.

8. to a great or considerable extent; fully: to be well informed.

9. by a considerable margin: let me know well in advance.

10. (preceded by: could, might, or may) indeed: you may well have to do it yourself.

11. informal (intensifier): well safe.

12. all very well used ironically to express discontent, dissent, etc

13. as well

a. in addition; too

b. (preceded by: may or might) with equal effect: you might as well come.

c. just as well preferable or advisable: it would be just as well if you paid me now.

14. just as well preferable or advisable: it would be just as well if you paid me now.

15. as well as in addition to

16. just leave well alone just leave well enough alone to refrain from interfering with something that is satisfactory

17. well and good used to indicate calm acceptance, as of a decision: if you accept my offer, well and good.

18. well up in well acquainted with (a particular subject); knowledgeable about

adj (usually postpositive)

19. (when prenominal, usually used with a negative) in good health: I’m very well, thank you; he’s not a well man.

20. satisfactory, agreeable, or pleasing

21. prudent; advisable: it would be well to make no comment.

22. prosperous or comfortable

23. fortunate or happy: it is well that you agreed to go.

interj

a. an expression of surprise, indignation, or reproof

b. an expression of anticipation in waiting for an answer or remark

sentence connector

an expression used to preface a remark, gain time, etc: well, I don’t think I will come.

[Old English wel; related to Old High German wala, wola (German wohl), Old Norse val, Gothic waila]

well

(wɛl)

n

1. (Civil Engineering) a hole or shaft that is excavated, drilled, bored, or cut into the earth so as to tap a supply of water, oil, gas, etc

2. (Mining & Quarrying) a hole or shaft that is excavated, drilled, bored, or cut into the earth so as to tap a supply of water, oil, gas, etc

3. (Physical Geography) a natural pool where ground water comes to the surface

4.

a. a cavity, space, or vessel used to contain a liquid

b. (in combination): an inkwell.

5. (Building) an open shaft through the floors of a building, such as one used for a staircase

6. (Building) a deep enclosed space in a building or between buildings that is open to the sky to permit light and air to enter

7. (Nautical Terms)

a. a bulkheaded compartment built around a ship’s pumps for protection and ease of access

8. (Fishing) a perforated tank in the hold of a fishing boat for keeping caught fish alive

9. (Law) (in England) the open space in the centre of a law court

10. a source, esp one that provides a continuous supply: he is a well of knowledge.

vb

to flow or cause to flow upwards or outwards: tears welled from her eyes.

[Old English wella; related to Old High German wella (German Welle wave), Old Norse vella boiling heat]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

well1

(wɛl)

adv., adj. compar. bet•ter, superl. best, adv.

1. in a good or satisfactory manner: Our plans are going well.

2. thoroughly, carefully, or soundly: Shake well before using.

3. in a moral or proper manner: to behave well.

4. commendably, meritoriously, or excellently: a difficult task well handled.

5. with propriety, justice, or reason: I could not well refuse.

6. with favor or approval: to think well of someone.

7. comfortably or prosperously: to live well.

8. to a considerable extent or degree: a sum well over the amount agreed upon.

9. with great or intimate knowledge: to know a person well.

10. certainly; without doubt: I cry easily, as you well know.

11. with good nature; without rancor: He took the joke well.

adj.

12. in good health; sound in body and mind: He is not a well man.

13. satisfactory, pleasing, or good: All is well with us.

14. proper, fitting, or gratifying: It is well that you didn’t go.

15. in a satisfactory position; well-off: I am very well as I am.

interj.

16. (used to express surprise, reproof, etc.): Well! There’s no need to shout.

17. (used to introduce a sentence, resume a conversation, etc.): Well, it’s time to go home.

n.

18. well-being; good fortune; success: to wish well to someone.

Idioms:

1. as well, in addition; also; too.

2. as well as, as much or as truly as; equally as: witty as well as kind.

3. leave well enough alone, to avoid changing something that is satisfactory.

[before 900; Middle English, Old English wel(l) (adj. and adv.), c. Old Frisian, Old Saxon wel, Old Norse vel]

well′ness, n.

well2

(wɛl)

n.

1. a hole drilled or bored into the earth to obtain water, petroleum, natural gas, brine, or sulfur.

2. a spring or natural source of water.

3. an apparent reservoir or a source of human feelings, emotions, energy, etc.: a well of compassion.

4. a container, receptacle, or reservoir for a liquid, as ink.

5. any sunken or deep enclosed space, as a shaft for air or light, stairs, or an elevator, extending vertically through the floors of a building.

6. a hollow compartment, recessed area, or depression for holding a specific item or items, as fish in the bottom of a boat or the retracted wheels of an airplane in flight.

7. Naut. a part of a weather deck between two superstructures, extending from one side of a vessel to the other.

v.i.

8. to rise, spring, or gush, as water, from the earth or some other source (often fol. by up, out, or forth): Tears welled up in my eyes.

v.t.

9. to send welling up or forth.

adj.

10. like, of, resembling, from, or used in connection with a well.

[before 900; (n.) Middle English well(e), Old English wylle, wella, c. Old High German welle wave; (v.) Middle English; Old English weallan to boil, melt, c. Old Saxon, Old High German wallan]

we’ll

(wil; unstressed wɪl)

contraction of we shall or we will.

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Well

 a source of supply.

Examples: well of all courage, 1377; of all crafts, 1377; of gentleness, 1440; of grace, c. 1300; of mercy; of mischief, 1538; of pity, 1530; of tears, 1382; of serious thought; of wisdom, 1225.

Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

good

– well

1. ‘good’

Something that is good is pleasant, acceptable, or satisfactory. The comparative form of good is better. The superlative form is best.

Your French is better than mine.

This is the best cake I’ve ever eaten.

2. ‘well’

Good is never an adverb. If you want to say that something is done to a high standard or to a great extent, you use well, not ‘good’.

She speaks English well.

I don’t know him very well.

See well

The comparative form of well is better. The superlative form is best.

I changed seats so I could see better.

Use the method that works best for you.

well

1. used before a statement

In conversation, people sometimes say well when they are about to make a statement. Well can show that someone is hesitating or uncertain, but sometimes it has no meaning at all.

‘Is that right?’ – ‘Well, I think so.’

In conversation, people also use well when they are correcting something they have just said.

We walked along in silence; well, not really silence, because she was humming.

It took me years, well months at least, to realise that he’d lied to me.

2. used as an adverb

Well is very commonly an adverb.

You use well to say that something is done to a high standard or to a great extent.

He handled it well.

The strategy has worked very well in the past.

You use well to emphasize some -ed participles when they are part of a passive construction.

You seem to be well liked at work.

When well is used with an -ed participle like this to make a compound adjective that comes before a noun, the compound usually has a hyphen.

She was seen having dinner with a well-known actor.

This is a very well-established custom.

When the compound adjective comes after a verb, don’t use a hyphen.

The author is well known in his native country of Scotland.

Their routine of a morning walk was well established.

You also use well in front of some prepositions such as ahead of and behind.

The candidate is well ahead of his rivals in the opinion polls.

The border now lay well behind them.

When well is an adverb, its comparative and superlative forms are better and best.

People are better housed than ever before.

What works best is a balanced, sensible diet.

3. used as an adjective

Well is also an adjective. If you are well, you are healthy and not ill.

She looked well.

‘How are you?’ – ‘I’m very well, thank you.’

Most British speakers do not use well in front of a noun. They don’t say, for example, ‘He’s a well man‘. They say ‘He’s well‘. However, American and Scottish speakers sometimes use well in front of a noun.

When well is an adjective, it does not have a comparative form. However, you can use better to say that the health of a sick person has improved. When better is used like this, it means ‘less ill’.

He seems better today.

Better is more commonly used to say that someone has completely recovered from an illness or injury.

I hope you’ll be better soon.

Her cold was better.

4. ‘as well’

You use as well when you are giving more information about something.

Fresh fruit is healthier than tinned fruit. And it tastes nicer as well.

The woman laughed, and Jayah giggled as well.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

well

Past participle: welled
Gerund: welling

Imperative
well
well
Present
I well
you well
he/she/it wells
we well
you well
they well
Preterite
I welled
you welled
he/she/it welled
we welled
you welled
they welled
Present Continuous
I am welling
you are welling
he/she/it is welling
we are welling
you are welling
they are welling
Present Perfect
I have welled
you have welled
he/she/it has welled
we have welled
you have welled
they have welled
Past Continuous
I was welling
you were welling
he/she/it was welling
we were welling
you were welling
they were welling
Past Perfect
I had welled
you had welled
he/she/it had welled
we had welled
you had welled
they had welled
Future
I will well
you will well
he/she/it will well
we will well
you will well
they will well
Future Perfect
I will have welled
you will have welled
he/she/it will have welled
we will have welled
you will have welled
they will have welled
Future Continuous
I will be welling
you will be welling
he/she/it will be welling
we will be welling
you will be welling
they will be welling
Present Perfect Continuous
I have been welling
you have been welling
he/she/it has been welling
we have been welling
you have been welling
they have been welling
Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been welling
you will have been welling
he/she/it will have been welling
we will have been welling
you will have been welling
they will have been welling
Past Perfect Continuous
I had been welling
you had been welling
he/she/it had been welling
we had been welling
you had been welling
they had been welling
Conditional
I would well
you would well
he/she/it would well
we would well
you would well
they would well
Past Conditional
I would have welled
you would have welled
he/she/it would have welled
we would have welled
you would have welled
they would have welled

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun 1. well - a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brinewell — a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine

artesian well — a well drilled through impermeable strata into strata that receive water from a higher altitude so there is pressure to force the water to flow upward

driven well, tube well — a well made by driving a tube into the earth to a stratum that bears water

excavation — a hole in the ground made by excavating

gas well — a well that yields or has yielded natural gas

oil well, oiler — a well that yields or has yielded oil

sump — a well or other hole in which water has collected
2. well - a cavity or vessel used to contain liquidwell — a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid

inkstand, inkwell — a small well holding writing ink into which a pen can be dipped

vessel — an object used as a container (especially for liquids)
3. well — an abundant source; «she was a well of information»

fountainhead, wellspring

source — a document (or organization) from which information is obtained; «the reporter had two sources for the story»
4. well — an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)

shaft — a vertical passageway through a building (as for an elevator)

stairwell — a vertical well around which there is a stairway
5. well — an enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding something as e.g. fish or a plane’s landing gear or for protecting something as e.g. a ship’s pumps

bilge well — (nautical) a well where seepage drains to be pumped away

compartment — a partitioned section, chamber, or separate room within a larger enclosed area

pump well — an enclosure in the middle of a ship’s hold that protects the ship’s pumps
Verb 1. well - come up, as of a liquidwell — come up, as of a liquid; «Tears well in her eyes»; «the currents well up»

swell

rise up, surface, come up, rise — come to the surface
Adj. 1. well — in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury; «appears to be entirely well»; «the wound is nearly well»; «a well man»; «I think I’m well; at least I feel well»

fit — physically and mentally sound or healthy; «felt relaxed and fit after their holiday»; «keeps fit with diet and exercise»

healthy — having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease; «a rosy healthy baby»; «staying fit and healthy»

ill, sick — affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function; «ill from the monotony of his suffering»
2. well — resulting favorably; «it’s a good thing that I wasn’t there»; «it is good that you stayed»; «it is well that no one saw you»; «all’s well that ends well»

good

fortunate — having unexpected good fortune; «other, less fortunate, children died»; «a fortunate choice»
3. well — wise or advantageous and hence advisable; «it would be well to start early»

advisable — worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent or wise; «such action is neither necessary nor advisable»; «extreme caution is advisable»; «it is advisable to telephone first»
Adv. 1. well — (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’); «the children behaved well»; «a task well done»; «the party went well»; «he slept well»; «a well-argued thesis»; «a well-seasoned dish»; «a well-planned party»; «the baby can walk pretty good»

good

combining form — a bound form used only in compounds; «`hemato-‘ is a combining form in words like `hematology'»

ill, poorly, badly — (`ill’ is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well; «he was ill prepared»; «it ill befits a man to betray old friends»; «the car runs badly»; «he performed badly on the exam»; «the team played poorly»; «ill-fitting clothes»; «an ill-conceived plan»
2. well — thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form; «The problem is well understood»; «she was well informed»; «shake well before using»; «in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked»; «well-done beef», «well-satisfied customers»; «well-educated»
3. well — indicating high probability; in all likelihood; «I might well do it»; «a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster»; «you may well need your umbrella»; «he could equally well be trying to deceive us»

easily
4. well — (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully; «a book well worth reading»; «was well aware of the difficulties ahead»; «suspected only too well what might be going on»

intensifier, intensive — a modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies; «`up’ in `finished up’ is an intensifier»; «`honestly’ in `I honestly don’t know’ is an intensifier»
5. well — to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree; «the project was well underway»; «the fetus has well developed organs»; «his father was well pleased with his grades»
6. well — favorably; with approval; «their neighbors spoke well of them»; «he thought well of the book»

ill, badly — unfavorably or with disapproval; «tried not to speak ill of the dead»; «thought badly of him for his lack of concern»
7. well — to a great extent or degree; «I’m afraid the film was well over budget»; «painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger»; «the house has fallen considerably in value»; «the price went up substantially»

considerably, substantially
8. well — with great or especially intimate knowledge; «we knew them well»

intimately
9. well — with prudence or propriety; «You would do well to say nothing more»; «could not well refuse»
10. well — with skill or in a pleasing manner; «she dances well»; «he writes well»

badly — without skill or in a displeasing manner; «she writes badly»; «I think he paints very badly»
11. well - in a manner affording benefit or advantagewell — in a manner affording benefit or advantage; «she married well»; «The children were settled advantageously in Seattle»

advantageously

disadvantageously, badly — in a disadvantageous way; to someone’s disadvantage; «the venture turned out badly for the investors»; «angry that the case was settled disadvantageously for them»
12. well - in financial comfortwell — in financial comfort; «They live well»; «she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died»

comfortably
13. well — without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor; «took the joke well»; «took the tragic news well»

badly — with unusual distress or resentment or regret or emotional display; «they took their defeat badly»; «took her father’s death badly»; «conducted himself very badly at the time of the earthquake»

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

well

1

adverb

1. skilfully, expertly, adeptly, with skill, professionally, correctly, properly, effectively, efficiently, adequately, admirably, ably, conscientiously, proficiently All the team members played well.
skilfully badly, incompetently, incorrectly, ineptly, sloppily, inexpertly, ham-fistedly, unskilfully

2. satisfactorily, nicely, smoothly, successfully, capitally, pleasantly, happily, famously (informal), splendidly, agreeably, like nobody’s business (informal), in a satisfactory manner I thought the interview went very well.
satisfactorily badly, wrongly, poorly, inadequately

5. carefully, closely, minutely, fully, comprehensively, accurately, in detail, in depth, extensively, meticulously, painstakingly, rigorously, scrupulously, assiduously, intensively, from top to bottom, methodically, attentively, conscientiously, exhaustively This is obviously a man who’s studied his subject well.

6. favourably, highly, kindly, warmly, enthusiastically, graciously, approvingly, admiringly, with admiration, appreciatively, with praise, glowingly, with approbation He speaks very well of you.
favourably unfavourably, coldly, unkindly, disapprovingly, unsympathetically, gracelessly

8. fully, highly, greatly, completely, amply, very much, thoroughly, considerably, sufficiently, substantially, heartily, abundantly I am well aware of how much she has suffered.

10. decently, right, kindly, fittingly, fairly, easily, correctly, properly, readily, politely, suitably, generously, justly, in all fairness, genially, civilly, hospitably My parents always treated me well.
decently unfairly, unjustly, unsuitably

12. harmoniously, nicely, pleasantly, happily, politely, famously (informal), amicably, amiably, agreeably, peaceably, genially, like a house on fire (informal) Her friends all get on well together.

adjective

1. healthy, strong, sound, fit, blooming, robust, hale, hearty, in good health, alive and kicking, fighting fit (informal), in fine fettle, up to par, fit as a fiddle, able-bodied, in good condition I hope you’re well.
healthy poorly, ill, sick, weak, run-down, ailing, frail, feeble, sickly, unwell, below par, infirm, under-the-weather, at death’s door, green about the gills, crook (Austral. & N.Z. informal)

2. satisfactory, good, right, fine, happy, fitting, pleasing, bright, useful, lucky, proper, thriving, flourishing, profitable, fortunate He was satisfied that all was well.
satisfactory wrong, unsuccessful, unsatisfactory, going badly

well

2

verb

1. flow, trickle, seep, run, issue, spring, pour, jet, burst, stream, surge, discharge, trickle, gush, ooze, seep, exude, spurt, spout Blood welled from a gash in his thigh.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

well 1

noun

A point of origination:

beginning, derivation, fount, fountain, fountainhead, mother, origin, parent, provenance, provenience, root, rootstock, source, spring.

verb

To come forth or emit in abundance:

well 2

adverb

1. To the fullest extent:

absolutely, all, altogether, completely, dead, entirely, flat, fully, just, perfectly, quite, thoroughly, totally, utterly, wholly.

2. To a considerable extent:

adjective

2. Worth doing, especially for practical reasons:

The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

изворкладенец

dobřezdravýmathnoprýštit

brøndgodtraskskaktvælde

beleputo

kaev

hyvinkaivokummutakunnollalähde

izvorstudenacvrelovrutakzdenac

kút

sumur

borholaborhola; brunnurbrunnurflæîa, renna, streymafrískur, hraustur

おやおやにじみ出る井戸申し分ない申し分なく

건강한우물잘

puteus

puiku!

akaasaras saskrēja acīsatzinīgiIr nu gan!izšļākties

bine

dobrenostudňav dobrovytrysknúť

dobrozdravtorejvreleczdrava

brabrunnvälvällaeh

ดี สุขสบายบ่อ เช่น บ่อแร่ บ่อน้ำมัน บ่อน้ำอย่างชำนาญ

kuyuiyiiyi biçimdeiyicelehinde

колодязь

giếngkhỏe mạnhtốt

well

1 [wel]

B. VI (also well out, well up) → brotar, manar

well

2 [wel] (better (compar) (best (superl)))

B. ADJ

2. (= acceptable, satisfactory) → bien
that’s all very well, but → todo eso está muy bien, pero …
it or we would be well to start early → mejor si salimos temprano
it would be as well to ask → más vale or valdría preguntar
it’s as well not to offend her → más te vale no ofenderla
it would be just as well for you to stay → mejor si te quedas
it’s well for you that nobody saw you → menos mal que nadie te vio
it’s just as well we asked → menos mal que preguntamos
all’s well that ends well → bien está lo que bien acaba

C. EXCL

2. (expressing resignation) well, if we must go, let’s get going → bueno, si nos tenemos que ir, vayámonos
well then? → ¿y qué?

3. (concessive, dismissive) → pues
well, if you’re worried, why don’t you call her? → pues si estás tan preocupada ¿por qué no la llamas?
well, I think she’s a fool → pues yo pienso que es tonta

4. (expressing relief) well, thank goodness for that! → (pues) ¡gracias a Dios!

5. (expressing surprise) → ¡vaya!
well, what do you know! → ¡anda, quién lo diría!
well, who would have thought it! → ¡anda, quién lo diría!
well, well! → ¡vaya, vaya!

Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

well

[ˈwɛl]

adv

(= successfully, to a high standard) → bien
You did that really well → Tu as très bien fait ça.
to do well → bien s’en sortir
She’s doing really well at school → Elle s’en sort vraiment bien à l’école.
He did as well as he could
BUT Il a fait du mieux qu’il pouvait.
to pay well [job] → bien payer
well done! → bravo!

(= thoroughly, completely) → bien
Mix all the ingredients well → Mélangez bien tous les ingrédients.
Wash your hands well with soap → Lavez-vous bien les mains, avec du savon.
How well do you remember your mother, Franzi? → Tu te souviens bien de ta mère, Franzi?
to know sb well → bien connaître qn
How well do you know him? → Vous le connaissez bien?
well done [meat]
BUT bien cuit.(e)
Do you prefer your steak rare, medium or well done? → Vous préférez votre steak saignant, à point ou bien cuit?

(= highly) to think well of sb → penser beaucoup de bien de qn
to speak well of sb → dire du bien de qn

as well (= in addition) → aussi, également
We worked hard, but we had some fun as well → Nous avons travaillé dur, mais nous nous sommes bien amusés aussi.
as well as → ainsi que
We went to Chartres as well as Paris → Nous sommes allés à Paris ainsi qu’à Chartres.
It has symbolic as well as economic significance
BUT Cela a une signification à la fois symbolique et économique.

(as intensifier) to be well worth doing → valoir vraiment la peine d’être fait
The film is well worth seeing → Le film vaut vraiment la peine d’être vu.
well before sth → bien avant qch
well after sth → bien après qch
to be well aware of sth → être bien conscient(e) de qch

sb might as well do sth, sb may as well do sth → qn ferait aussi bien de faire qch
You might as well tell me → Tu ferais aussi bien de me le dire.

sb would do well to do sth → qn ferait bien de faire qch

sb may well do sth, sb could well do sth (= it’s quite likely) → qn pourrait bien faire qch
You may well be right → Vous pourriez bien avoir raison.

it’s just as well → c’est aussi bien
It was just as well she wasn’t there → C’était aussi bien qu’elle ne soit pas là.

well and good, all well and good
This is all well and good, but → Tout cela est bien beau mais …
If they arrive before I leave, well and good → S’ils arrivent avant que je parte, très bien.

excl

(introducing comment, new subject) → bon
Well, as I was saying → Bon, comme je le disais …

(correcting yourself) → enfin
It’s enormous! Well, quite big anyway → C’est énorme! Enfin, c’est assez grand.

(expressing polite doubt, criticism) → eh bien

(expressing surprise, anger) → eh bien

oh well (expressing resignation) → bon

vi

[emotion] → envahir
Gratitude welled in her → La gratitude l’envahissait.

well up

vi

[tears] → monter (aux yeux)

[emotion]
Happiness welled up inside me → Le bonheur m’envahit.

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

well

in cpds → gut;

well-adjusted

adj attr, well adjusted

well-advised

adj attr, well advised

adj pred plan, move → klug; to be well advised to … → wohl or gut beraten sein zu …, gut daran tun, zu …

well-aimed

adj attr, well aimed

adj pred shot, blow, sarcasm → gut gezielt, wohlgezielt

well-appointed

adj attr, well appointed

well-argued

adj attr, well argued

well-assorted

adj attr, well assorted

well-attended

adj attr, well attended

well-baby clinic

n → Neugeborenenklinik f

well-balanced

adj attr, well balanced

well-behaved

adj attr, well behaved

well-born

adj attr, well born

well-bred

adj attr, well bred

well-built

adj attr, well built

well-chosen

adj attr, well chosen

well-connected

adj attr, well connected

well-cooked

adj attr, well cooked

well-defined

adj attr, well defined

well-deserved

adj attr, well deserved

well-developed

adj attr, well developed

well-disposed

adj attr, well disposed

well-done

adj attr, well done

well-dressed

adj attr, well dressed

well-earned

adj attr, well earned

well-educated

adj attr, well educated

well-endowed

adj attr, well endowed

well-equipped

adj attr, well equipped

well-established

adj attr, well established

adj pred practice, custom → fest; pattern also → klar; tradition → alt; family → alteingesessen; reputation → gut; company, player, writer, artist → bekannt; it’s a well fact that … → es ist eine bekannte Tatsache, dass …

well-favoured

adj attr, well favoured

adj pred (old) girl, family → ansehnlich (old)

well-fed

adj attr, well fed

well-founded

adj attr, well founded

adj pred → wohlbegründet; the warnings proved (to be) well founded → die Warnungen erwiesen sich als begründet

well-groomed

adj attr, well groomed

well-grown

adj attr, well grown

adj pred animal, child → groß (gewachsen)

well

:

well-heeled

adj attr, well heeled

adj pred (Brit inf) → betucht (inf)

well-hung

adj attr, well hung

well-informed

adj attr, well informed

well

:

well-intentioned

adj attr, well intentioned

well-kept

adj attr, well kept

well-knit

adj attr, well knit

well-known

adj attr, well known

well-loved

adj attr, well loved

well-made

adj attr, well made

well-man clinic

n → Männerklinik f

well-mannered

adj attr, well mannered

well-matched

adj attr, well matched

well-meant

adj attr, well meant

well-nigh

adv (form) → nahezu, beinahe, nachgerade (geh); this is well impossible → das ist nahezu or beinahe unmöglich

well-off

adj attr, well off

adj pred (= affluent) → reich, begütert, gut d(a)ran (inf); to be well off (= fortunate) → gut daran sein; you don’t know when you’re well off (inf) → du weißt (ja) nicht, wenn es dir gut geht

well-oiled

adj attr, well oiled

adj pred (inf: = drunk) → beduselt (inf)

well-padded

adj attr, well padded

well-paid

adj attr, well paid

well-preserved

adj attr, well preserved

adj pred → gut erhalten; person also → wohlerhalten

well-read

adj attr, well read

well-respected

adj attr, well respected

well-spent

adj attr, well spent

well-spoken

adj attr, well spoken

well-stacked

adj attr, well stacked

adj pred (inf) woman to be well stacked → Holz vor der Hütte haben (inf)

well-stocked

adj attr, well stocked

well-timed

adj attr, well timed

well-tried

adj attr, well tried

adj pred method etc → erprobt

well-trodden

adj attr, well trodden

well-worn

adj attr, well worn

well

1

n

(of theatre) → Parkett nt; (of auditorium) ebenerdiger Teil des Zuschauer-/Konferenz-/Versammlungsraums (Brit: of court) Teil des Gerichtssaals, in dem die Rechtsanwälte und Protokollschreiber sitzen

well

2 comp <better>, superl <best>

adv

(= thoroughly, considerably, to a great degree) → gut, gründlich; shake the bottle well (on medicine) → Flasche kräftig or gut schütteln; he loved her too well to leave her (liter) → er liebte sie zu sehr, als dass er sie verlassen hätte; we were well beaten → wir sind gründlich geschlagen worden; he could well afford it → er konnte es sich (dat) → sehr wohl leisten; I’m well content with my lot → ich bin wohl zufrieden mit meinem Schicksal; all or only too well → nur (all)zu gut; well and truly → (ganz) gründlich; married, settled in → ganz richtig; (iro also) → fest; westernized, conditioned → durch und durch; he was well away (inf) → er war in Fahrt or Schwung (inf); (= drunk) → er hatte einen sitzen (inf); he sat well forward in his seat → er saß weit vorne auf seinem Sitz; it was well worth the trouble → das hat sich wohl or sehr gelohnt; well out of sight → weit außer Sichtweite; well within … → durchaus in … (dat); well past midnight → lange nach Mitternacht; it continued well into 1996/the night → es zog sich bis weit ins Jahr 1996/in die Nacht hin; he’s well over fifty → er ist weit über fünfzig

(= in addition) as well → auch; if he comes as well → wenn er auch kommt; x as well as y → x sowohl als auch y, x und auch y; she sings as well as dances → sie singt und tanzt auch noch

adj

(= satisfactory, desirable, advantageous) → gut; all is not well with him/in the world → mit ihm/mit or in der Welt steht es nicht zum Besten; that’s all very well, but … → das ist ja alles schön und gut, aber …; if that’s the case, (all) well and good → wenn das der Fall ist, dann soll es mir recht sein; it’s all very well for you to suggest … → Sie können leicht vorschlagen …; it’s all very well for you, you don’t have to … → Sie haben gut reden or Sie können leicht reden, Sie müssen ja nicht …; it was well for him that no-one found out → es war sein Glück, dass es niemand entdeckt hat; it would be as well to ask first → es wäre wohl besser or gescheiter (inf), → sich erst mal zu erkundigen; it’s just as well he came → es ist (nur or schon) gut, dass er gekommen ist; you’re well out of that → seien Sie froh, dass Sie damit nichts mehr zu tun haben; all’s well that ends well → Ende gut, alles gut

interj → also; (expectantly also) → na; (doubtfully) → na ja; well, well!, well I never (did)! → also, so was!, na so was!; well now → also; well, it was like this → also, es war so or folgendermaßen; well there you are, that proves it! → na bitte or also bitte, das beweist es doch; well, as I was saying → also, wie (bereits) gesagt; well then? → also (gut); (in question) → na?, nun?, also?; very well then! → na gut, also gut!; (indignantly) → also bitte (sehr)!; oh well, never mind → macht nichts; well, that’s a relief! → na (also), das ist ja eine Erleichterung!

n → Gute(s) nt; to wish somebody well (in general) → jdm alles Gute wünschen; (in an attempt, also iro) → jdm Glück wünschen (in bei); I wish him well, but … → ich wünsche ihm nichts Böses, aber …

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

well

1 [wɛl]

2. vi (tears, emotions) → sgorgare

well up vi + adv (tears, emotions) → sgorgare

well

2 [wɛl] (better (comp) (best (superl)))

1. adv

b. (probably, reasonably) we might just as well have … → tanto valeva…
she cried, as well she might → piangeva a buon diritto
one might well ask why … → ci si potrebbe ben chiedere perché…
you may well ask! → buona domanda!
you might as well tell me → potresti anche dirmelo
I might or may as well come → quasi quasi vengo
I couldn’t very well leave → non potevo andarmene così

c. as well (in addition) → anche
she sings, as well as playing the piano → oltre a suonare il piano, canta
X as well as Y → sia X che Y

2. adj

b. (acceptable, satisfactory) → buono/a
all is not well → non va tutto bene
that’s all very well, but … → va benissimo, ma…, d’accordo, ma…
well and good → bene
it would be as well to ask → sarebbe bene chiedere
it’s just as well we asked → abbiamo fatto bene a chiedere

3. excl (gen) → bene; (resignation, hesitation) → beh
well, as I was saying … → dunque, come stavo dicendo…
well, well, well! → ma guarda un po’!
very well then → va bene, molto bene
very well, if that’s the way you want it (unenthusiastic) → va bene, se questo è quello che vuoi
well I never! → ma no!, ma non mi dire!
well there you are then! → ecco, hai visto!

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

well1

(wel) noun

1. a lined shaft made in the earth from which to obtain water, oil, natural gas etc.

2. the space round which a staircase winds. He fell down the stair-well.

verb

(of water from the earth or of tears) to flow freely. Tears welled up in her eyes.

well2

(wel) – comparative better (ˈbetə) : superlative best (best) – adjective

1. healthy. I don’t feel very / at all well; She doesn’t look very well; She’s been ill but she’s quite well now.

2. in a satisfactory state or condition. All is well now.

adverb

1. in a good, correct, successful, suitable etc way. He’s done well to become a millionaire at thirty; She plays the piano well; Mother and baby are both doing well; How well did he do in the exam?

2. with good reason; with justice. You may well look ashamed – that was a cruel thing to do; You can’t very well refuse to go.

3. with approval or praise. He speaks well of you.

4. used (with eg damn, ~jolly etc) for emphasis. You can jolly well do it yourself!

5. thoroughly. Examine the car well before you buy it.

6. to a great or considerable extent. He is well over fifty.

interjection

1. used to express surprise etc. Well! I’d never have believed it!

2. used when re-starting a conversation, starting an explanation etc. Do you remember John Watson? Well, he’s become a teacher.

well-

1. in a good, satisfactory etc way etc, as in well-behaved.

2. very much, as in well-known.

ˌwell-beˈhaved adjective

behaving correctly. well-behaved children.

ˌwell-ˈbeing noun

welfare. She is always very concerned about her mother’s well-being.

ˌwell-ˈbred adjective

(of a person) having good manners.

ˌwell-ˈbuilt adjective

muscular; having a strong, handsome figure.

ˌwell-ˈdone adjective

(of meat) cooked until there is no blood in it; (of food) cooked for a long time.

ˌwell-ˈearned adjective

thoroughly deserved. a well-earned rest.

ˌwell-ˈeducated adjective

educated to a good standard.

ˌwell-ˈfed adjective

correctly and sufficiently fed.

ˌwell-ˈgroomed adjective

of smart, tidy appearance.

ˌwell-inˈformed adjective

having or showing a thorough knowledge. a well-informed person/essay.

ˌwell-ˈknown adjective

familiar or famous. a well-known TV personality.

ˌwell-ˈmade adjective

a well-made table.

ˌwell-ˈmannered adjective

polite.

ˌwell-ˈoff adjective

1. rich. He is very well-off; a well-off young lady.

2. fortunate. You do not know when you are well off.

ˌwell-ˈread (-ˈred) adjective

having read many books etc; intelligent.

ˌwell-ˈspoken adjective

(of a person) speaking with a pleasing voice, in a grammatically correct way etc.

ˌwell-to-ˈdo adjective

having enough money to live comfortably.

ˌwell-wisher noun

a person who wishes one success etc.

as well

in addition; too. If you will go, I’ll go as well.

as well as

in addition to. She works in a restaurant in the evenings as well as doing a full-time job during the day.

be just as well

to be fortunate; to be no cause for regret. It’s just as well (that) you didn’t go – the meeting was cancelled.

be as well to

to be advisable or sensible. It would be as well to go by train – the roads are flooded.

very well

fine, okay. Have you finished? Very well, you may go now.

well done!

used in congratulating a person. I hear you won the competition. Well done!

well enough

fairly, but not particularly, well.

well up in

knowing a great deal about. He’s very well up in financial matters.

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

well

→ بِئْر, بِالإضَافَةِ إِلَى, عَلَى ما يُرَام dobře, studna, zdravý brønd, godt, rask Brunnen, gut καλώς, πηγάδι, υγιής bien, pozo, sano hyvin, kaivo, terve bien, puits dobro, izvor, zdrav bene, pozzo 井戸, 申し分ない, 申し分なく 건강한, 우물, 잘 goed, op de juiste manier, put brønn, godt, vel dobry, dobrze, studnia bem, poço колодец, хороший, хорошо bra, brunn, väl ดี สุขสบาย, บ่อ เช่น บ่อแร่ บ่อน้ำมัน บ่อน้ำ, อย่างชำนาญ iyi, kuyu, pekala giếng, khỏe mạnh, tốt 井, 健康的, 唔，这个，噢

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

well

a. bueno-a; en buena salud;

well-being → bienestar;

adv. bien, favorablemente, felizmente;

all is ___ → todo va bien.

English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

  • I don’t feel well (US)
    I feel ill (UK)
  • He’s sick (US)
    He’s not well (UK)
  • Did you sleep well?

Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

well

adj & adv (comp better; super best) bien; to get — recuperarse, mejorarse, curarse

English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Источник

SKIP TO CONTENT

Other forms: weller; welled; welling

When you do something well, you do it in a good or satisfactory way. You can say, «I did really well on my French test,» or «Finally, I slept well last night.»

When well is a noun, it means «a deep hole full of water or oil.» When well is an adverb, it describes the way something’s done. If you’re not sure when to use well and when to use good, think about what you’re describing. If it’s a thing, then you can call it good, like a «good book.» If you’re talking about an action, you should use well: «I always do well on math quizzes,» or «You speak Chinese really well.»

Definitions of well

  1. adverb

    (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’)

    “the children behaved
    well”

    “a task
    well done”

    “the party went
    well”

    “he slept
    well”

    “a
    well-argued thesis”

    “a
    well-seasoned dish”

    “a
    well-planned party”

    synonyms:

    good

  2. adverb

    favorably; with approval

    “their neighbors spoke
    well of them”

    “he thought
    well of the book”

  3. adverb

    with skill or in a pleasing manner

    “she dances
    well”

    “he writes
    well”

  4. adverb

    in a manner affording benefit or advantage

    “she married
    well”

    synonyms:

    advantageously

  5. adverb

    in financial comfort

    “They live
    well”

    synonyms:

    comfortably

  6. adverb

    with prudence or propriety

    “You would do
    well to say nothing more”

    “could not
    well refuse”

  7. adverb

    without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor

    “took the joke
    well”

    “took the tragic news
    well”

  8. adverb

    to a great extent or degree

    “I’m afraid the film was
    well over budget”

    synonyms:

    considerably, substantially

  9. adverb

    with great or especially intimate knowledge

    “we knew them
    well”

    synonyms:

    intimately

  10. adverb

    (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully

    “a book
    well worth reading”

    “was
    well aware of the difficulties ahead”

    “suspected only too
    well what might be going on”

  11. adverb

    thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form

    “The problem is
    well understood”

    “she was
    well informed”

    “shake
    well before using”

    “in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is
    well cooked”

    “»
    well-done beef», «well-satisfied customers”

    “well-educated”

  12. adverb

    to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree

    “the project was
    well underway”

    “his father was
    well pleased with his grades”

  13. adjective

    resulting favorably

    “it is
    well that no one saw you”

    “all’s
    well that ends well”

    synonyms:

    good

    fortunate

    having unexpected good fortune

  14. adjective

    in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury

    “appears to be entirely
    well”

    “the wound is nearly
    well”

    “a
    well man”

    “I think I’m
    well”

    “at least I feel
    well”

    Synonyms:

    fit

    physically and mentally sound or healthy

    healthy

    having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease

    asymptomatic, symptomless

    having no symptoms of illness or disease

    cured, healed, recovered

    freed from illness or injury

    see moresee less

    Antonyms:

    ill, sick

    affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

    unfit

    not in good physical or mental condition; out of condition

    unhealthy

    not in or exhibiting good health in body or mind

    afflicted, stricken

    grievously affected especially by disease

    aguish

    affected by ague

    ailing, indisposed, peaked, poorly, seedy, sickly, under the weather, unwell

    somewhat ill or prone to illness

    air sick, airsick, carsick, seasick

    experiencing motion sickness

    autistic

    characteristic of or affected with autism

    bedfast, bedrid, bedridden, sick-abed

    confined to bed (by illness)

    bilious, liverish, livery

    suffering from or suggesting a liver disorder or gastric distress

    bronchitic

    suffering from or prone to bronchitis

    consumptive

    afflicted with or associated with pulmonary tuberculosis

    convalescent, recovering

    returning to health after illness or debility

    delirious, hallucinating

    experiencing delirium

    diabetic

    suffering from diabetes

    dizzy, giddy, vertiginous, woozy

    having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling

    dyspeptic

    suffering from dyspepsia

    faint, light, light-headed, lightheaded, swooning

    weak and likely to lose consciousness

    feverish, feverous

    having or affected by a fever

    funny

    experiencing odd bodily sensations

    gouty

    suffering from gout

    green

    looking pale and unhealthy

    laid low, stricken

    put out of action (by illness)

    laid up

    ill and usually confined

    milk-sick

    affected with or related to milk sickness

    nauseated, nauseous, queasy, sick, sickish

    feeling nausea; feeling about to vomit

    palsied

    affected with palsy or uncontrollable tremor

    paralytic, paralyzed

    affected with paralysis

    paraplegic

    suffering complete paralysis of the lower half of the body usually resulting from damage to the spinal cord

    rachitic, rickety

    affected with, suffering from, or characteristic of rickets

    scrofulous

    afflicted with scrofula

    sneezy

    inclined to sneeze

    spastic

    suffering from spastic paralysis

    tubercular, tuberculous

    constituting or afflicted with or caused by tuberculosis or the tubercle bacillus

    unhealed

    not healed

    upset

    mildly physically distressed

    show more antonyms…

  15. adjective

    wise or advantageous and hence advisable

    “it would be
    well to start early”

    Synonyms:

    advisable

    worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent or wise

  16. adverb

    indicating high probability; in all likelihood

    “I might
    well do it”

    “you may
    well need your umbrella”

    “he could equally
    well be trying to deceive us”

    synonyms:

    easily

  17. noun

    a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine

    see moresee less

    types:

    show 9 types…
    hide 9 types…
    artesian well

    a well drilled through impermeable strata into strata that receive water from a higher altitude so there is pressure to force the water to flow upward

    driven well, tube well

    a well made by driving a tube into the earth to a stratum that bears water

    gas well

    a well that yields or has yielded natural gas

    oil well, oiler

    a well that yields or has yielded oil

    sump

    a well or other hole in which water has collected

    gusher

    an oil well with a strong natural flow so that pumping is not necessary

    spouter

    an oil well that is spouting

    stripper, stripper well

    an oil well whose production has declined to less than ten barrels a day

    wildcat, wildcat well

    an exploratory oil well drilled in land not known to be an oil field

    type of:

    excavation

    a hole in the ground made by excavating

  18. noun

    an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)

    see moresee less

    types:

    stairwell

    a vertical well around which there is a stairway

    type of:

    shaft

    a vertical passageway through a building (as for an elevator)

  19. noun

    a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid

  20. noun

    an enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding something as e.g. fish or a plane’s landing gear or for protecting something as e.g. a ship’s pumps

    see moresee less

    types:

    bilge well

    (nautical) a well where seepage drains to be pumped away

    pump well

    an enclosure in the middle of a ship’s hold that protects the ship’s pumps

    type of:

    compartment

    a partitioned section, chamber, or separate room within a larger enclosed area

  21. “she was a
    well of information”

    synonyms:

    fountainhead, wellspring

  22. verb

    come up, as of a liquid

    “Tears
    well in her eyes”

    “the currents
    well up”

    synonyms:

    swell

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘well’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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Источник

English[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /wɛl/
  • (interjection, unstressed) IPA(key): /wəl/
  • Rhymes: -ɛl

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle English wel, wal, wol, wele, from Old English wel (“well, abundantly, very, very easily, very much, fully, quite, nearly”), from Proto-Germanic *wela, *wala (“well”, literally “as wished, as desired”), from Proto-Indo-European *welh₁- (“wish, desire”).

Cognate with Scots wele, weil (“well”), North Frisian wel, weil, wal (“well”), West Frisian wol (“well”), Dutch wel (“well”), Low German wol (“well”), German wol, wohl (“well”), Norwegian and Danish vel (“well”), Swedish väl (“well”), Icelandic vel, val (“well”). Related to will.

Alternative forms[edit]

  • wall (dialectal)
  • weel, weil (Scotland)
  • welp (US, informal)

Adverb[edit]

well (comparative better, superlative best)

  1. (manner) Accurately, competently, satisfactorily.

    He does his job well.

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

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

    • 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients:

      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.

    • 2013 July 20, “Welcome to the plastisphere”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:

      Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field.

    • 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
      This day is not going well.

  2. (manner) Completely, fully.

    a well done steak

    We’re well beat now.

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

      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.

  3. (degree) To a significant degree.

    That author is well known.

    A monument well worth seeing

    • 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:

      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.

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

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

    • 2006, Spider Robinson, Callahan’s legacy:

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

  4. (degree, Britain, slang) Very (as a general-purpose intensifier).
    • 1999, «Drummond Pearson», What Ash are doing right now… (on Internet newsgroup alt.music.ash)
      That guy rocks! I think he’s called Matthew Lillard or sommat but he is well cool in Scream.
    • 2002, «jibaili», FIFA 2003 How is it? (on Internet newsgroup microsoft.public.xbox)
      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.

    • 2003, Steve Eddy, Empower, Book 2:

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

  5. In a desirable manner; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favourably; advantageously.
    • October 10, 1714, Alexander Pope, letter to Joseph Addison
      All the world speaks well of you.
Derived terms[edit]
  • all too well
  • as well
  • do well by doing good
  • full well
  • fully well
  • just as well
  • pretty well
  • well and truly
  • well-beaten
  • well-behaved
  • well-deserved
  • well-designed
  • well-developed
  • well-filled
  • well-handled
  • well-heeled
  • well-known
  • well-laid
  • well-mannered
  • well-merited
  • well-off
  • well-padded
  • well-placed
  • well-planned
  • well-publicised, well-publicized
  • well-qualified
  • well-read
  • well-received
  • well-run
  • well-tried
  • well-used
  • well-wooded
Translations[edit]

accurately; competently

  • Albanian: mirë (sq)
  • Arabic: حَسَنًا‎ (ar) (ḥasanan), بِخَيْر‎ (bi-ḵayr), جَيِّدًا‎ (jayyidan)
    Egyptian Arabic: كويس‎ (kwáyyis)
  • Armenian: լավ (hy) (lav)
  • Aromanian: ghini, ghine
  • Assamese: ভাল (bhal), বাৰু (baru)
  • Asturian: bien (ast)
  • Belarusian: до́бра (dóbra)
  • Bengali: ভাল (bn) (bhal)
  • Bulgarian: добре́ (bg) (dobré)
  • Burmese: ကောင်းကောင်း (my) (kaung:kaung:)
  • Catalan: bé (ca), ben (ca)
  • Cherokee: ᎣᏍᏓ (osda)
  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 好 (zh) (hǎo)
    Min Nan: 好勢／好势 (zh-min-nan) (hó-sè / hó-sì)
  • Czech: dobře (cs)
  • Danish: godt (da)
  • Dutch: goed (nl)
  • Esperanto: bele, bone (eo)
  • Estonian: hästi (et)
  • Faroese: væl
  • Finnish: hyvin (fi)
  • French: bien (fr)
  • Friulian: ben
  • Galician: ben (gl)
  • Georgian: კარგად (ḳargad), მშვენივრად (mšvenivrad)
  • German: gut (de)
  • Gothic: 𐍅𐌰𐌹𐌻𐌰 (waila)
  • Greek: καλά (el) (kalá), καλώς (el) (kalós)
    Ancient: καλῶς (kalôs), εὖ (eû)
  • Haitian Creole: byen
  • Hebrew: הֵיטֵב‎ (he) (hetév)
  • Hindi: अच्छा (hi) (acchā), ख़ूब (xūb)
  • Hungarian: jól (hu), rendben (hu)
  • Icelandic: vel (is)
  • Ido: bone (io)
  • Interlingua: ben (ia)
  • Istriot: ben
  • Istro-Romanian: bire
  • Italian: bene (it)
  • Japanese: 良く (ja) (よく, yoku)
  • Kazakh: жақсы (kk) (jaqsy)
  • Khmer: ល្អ (km) (lʼɑɑ)
  • Korean: 잘 (ko) (jal)
  • Ladin: ben
  • Lao: ດີ (lo) (dī)
  • Latin: probē, rectē, bene (la)
  • Latvian: labi (lv)
  • Ligurian: bén
  • Lithuanian: gerai (lt)
  • Livonian: jõvīst
  • Lombard: ben (lmo)
  • Luxembourgish: gutt
  • Lü: ᦡᦲ (ḋii)
  • Macedonian: добро (dobro)
  • Malagasy: tsara (mg)
  • Malay: dengan baik
  • Maltese: tajjeb (mt)
  • Mauritian Creole: byen
  • Mbyá Guaraní: porã
  • Megleno-Romanian: bini
  • Mongolian:
    Cyrillic: сайн (mn) (sajn)
  • Norwegian:
    Bokmål: bra (no)
  • Occitan: ben (oc), plan (oc)
  • Old English: wel
  • Pashto: ښه‎ (ps) (ẍë)
  • Persian: خوب‎ (fa) (xub)
  • Polish: dobrze (pl)
  • Portuguese: bem (pt), apuradamente (pt)
  • Romani: miśto
  • Romanian: bine (ro)
  • Romansch: bain
  • Rusyn: до́брї (dóbrji)
  • Russian: хорошо́ (ru) (xorošó), как сле́дует (kak slédujet) (properly)
  • Sardinian: beni
  • Scots: weel
  • Scottish Gaelic: gu math
  • Serbo-Croatian:
    Cyrillic: до̀бро
    Roman: dòbro (sh)
  • Seychellois Creole: byen
  • Sicilian: beni (scn)
  • Slovak: dobre
  • Slovene: dôbro (sl)
  • Spanish: bien (es)
  • Swedish: väl (sv), bra (sv)
  • Thai: ดี (th) (dii)
  • Tibetan: please add this translation if you can
  • Tok Pisin: gut (tpi)
  • Turkish: iyi (tr), güzel (tr)
  • Tuvan: эки (eki)
  • Ukrainian: до́бре (uk) (dóbre), га́рно (hárno)
  • Urdu: اچھا‎ (acchā)
  • Venetian: bon (vec), ben
  • Vietnamese: tốt (vi), hay (vi), khá (vi)
  • White Hmong: please add this translation if you can
  • Yup’ik: aspialuni
  • Zhuang: ndei

completely; fully

  • Arabic: حَسَنًا‎ (ar) (ḥasanan), بِخَيْر‎ (bi-ḵayr), جَيِّدًا‎ (jayyidan)
  • Armenian: լավ (hy) (lav)
  • Bulgarian: съвсе́м (bg) (sǎvsém), напъ́лно (bg) (napǎ́lno)
  • Catalan: bé (ca), ben (ca)
  • Cherokee: ᎣᏍᏓ (osda)
  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 好 (zh) (hǎo)
  • Czech: dobře (cs)
  • Danish: vel-, gennem-
  • Finnish: hyvin (fi), kunnolla (fi)
  • Georgian: სავსებით (savsebit)
  • German: ganz (de)
  • Greek: εντελώς (el) (entelós), πλήρως (el) (plíros)
  • Hebrew: היטב‎ (he) (hetév), טוב‎ (he) (tov)
  • Hungarian: alaposan (hu), teljesen (hu)
  • Japanese: 良く (ja) (よく, yoku)
  • Latin: omino, omnino
  • Luxembourgish: ganz
  • Macedonian: до́бро (dóbro)
  • Portuguese: bem (pt), completamente (pt)
  • Romanian: bine (ro)
  • Russian: хорошо́ (ru) (xorošó), как сле́дует (kak slédujet)
  • Scots: weel
  • Scottish Gaelic: gu math
  • Slovak: dobre
  • Spanish: bien (es), totalmente (es), completamente (es)
  • Swedish: väl (sv)-, genom (sv)—
  • Turkish: iyice (tr), güzelce (tr), adamakıllı (tr)

to a significant degree

  • Arabic: حَسَنًا‎ (ar) (ḥasanan), بِخَيْر‎ (bi-ḵayr)
  • Armenian: լավ (hy) (lav)
  • Bulgarian: доста́тъчно (bg) (dostátǎčno), значи́телно (bg) (značítelno)
  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 好 (zh) (hǎo)
  • Czech: dobře (cs)
  • Danish: vel
  • Finnish: hyvin (fi)
  • French: bien (fr)
  • Georgian: მნიშვნელოვნად (mnišvnelovnad), საკმაოდ (saḳmaod)
  • Greek: αρκετά (el) (arketá)
  • Haitian Creole: byen
  • Hebrew: היטב‎ (he) (hetév)
  • Hungarian: jól (hu), (in comparisons) bőven (hu), jócskán (hu), jóval, sokkal (hu)
  • Japanese: 良く (ja) (よく, yoku)
  • Latin: recte, bene (la), probe
  • Latvian: lieti
  • Macedonian: добро (dobro)
  • Persian: بخوبی‎
  • Polish: dobrze (pl)
  • Portuguese: bem (pt)
  • Romanian: bine (ro)
  • Russian: хорошо́ (ru) (xorošó)
  • Scots: weel
  • Scottish Gaelic: gu math
  • Slovak: dobre
  • Spanish: bien (es)
  • Swedish: väl (sv)
  • Turkish: epey (tr), epeyi (tr), epeyce (tr), epeyice (tr), oldukça (tr), hayli (tr)

(slang) very

  • Bulgarian: мно́го (bg) (mnógo)
  • Estonian: tõsiselt (et)
  • Finnish: tosi (fi)
  • French: vachement (fr), drôlement (fr)
  • Greek: πολύ (el) (polý)
  • Hebrew: מאוד‎ (he) (meód)
  • Latin: multum (la), maximē (la)
  • Luxembourgish: ganz, séier
  • Polish: nieźle (pl)
  • Portuguese: bem (pt)
  • Romanian: foarte (ro)
  • Spanish: bien (es), muy (es)
  • Welsh: iawn (cy)

Translations to be checked

  • Dutch: (please verify) goed (nl), (please verify) wel (nl)
  • Ido: (please verify) bone (io)
  • Interlingua: (please verify) ben (ia)
  • Italian: (please verify) bene (it)
  • Khmer: (please verify) សប្បាយ (km) (sapbaay)
  • Telugu: (please verify) బాగా (te) (bāgā)

Adjective[edit]

well (comparative better or weller, superlative best or wellest)

  1. In good health.

    I had been sick, but now I’m well.

  2. (hypercorrect) Good, content.

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

  3. (uncommon) Prudent; good; well-advised.

    • 2014, Tom Mitchell, Assoc.Prof., “Psych 308/309 GUIDE FOR WRITING PROJECT REPORT”, in Academic website‎[1], archived from the original on 2014-12-04:

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

    • 2004 September 1, Sleiman Y. Naddaf, MD; 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[2], volume 32, number 3, Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging, archived from the original on 2021-04-23, pages 148-153:

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

    • 1897, National Association of Railway Surgeons, Railway surgeon, page 191:
      On leaving the operating table it is well to put the patient in a bed previously warmed and supplied with hot cans.
  4. (archaic, now chiefly Bermuda) Good to eat; tasty, delicious.

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

      This wahoo tastes val.

    • 2013 September 5, James Burton, “Burton’s Banter: Our rich dialogue — as moreish as a cold burr…”, in The Bermuda Sun‎[3], archived from the original on 2022-12-12:

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

Alternative forms[edit]
  • (Bermuda) val, vell
Derived terms[edit]
  • full well
  • get well
  • oh, well
  • well-being
Translations[edit]

in good health

  • Albanian: mirë (sq)
  • Arabic: بِخَيْر‎ (bi-ḵayr)
  • Armenian: լավ (hy) (lav)
  • Assamese: ভাল (bhal), বাৰু (baru)
  • Belarusian: здаро́вы (zdaróvy)
  • Bengali: ভাল (bn) (bhal)
  • Bulgarian: здрав (bg) (zdrav)
  • Burmese: နေကောင်း (my) (nekaung:)
  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 好 (zh) (hǎo), 健康 (zh) (jiànkāng)
    Min Nan: 好勢／好势 (zh-min-nan) (hó-sè / hó-sì)
  • Cree: ᒥᔪ ᐋᔮᐏᐣ (miyo aayaawin)
  • Czech: zdravý (cs) m
  • Danish: frisk
  • Dutch: gezond (nl)
  • Finnish: terve (fi), hyvässä kunnossa
  • French: bien (fr)
  • Georgian: ჯანმრთელი (ǯanmrteli)
  • German: gesund (de), gut (de)
  • Gothic: 𐌷𐌰𐌹𐌻𐍃 (hails)
  • Greek: γερός (el) m (gerós), υγιής (el) m or f (ygiís)
  • Hebrew: בריא‎ (he) m, בטוב‎ (betóv)
  • Hindi: ठीक (hi) (ṭhīk)
  • Hungarian: jól van, egészséges (hu)
  • Ido: bona (io)
  • Ilocano: (literally) nasayaat
  • Irish: ar fónamh
  • Isan: please add this translation if you can
  • Italian: bene (it)
  • Japanese: 元気 (ja) (げんき, genki)
  • Khmer: ជា (km) (ciə), សប្បាយ (km) (sapbaay)
  • Korean: 건강하다 (ko) (geon’ganghada)
  • Lao: ສະບາຍ (sa bāi)
  • Lithuanian: sveikas (lt) m, sveika (lt) f
  • Luxembourgish: gesond
  • Lü: please add this translation if you can
  • Macedonian: добар (dobar), здрав (zdrav)
  • Maori: hauora, toiora
  • Mongolian: please add this translation if you can
  • Northern Thai: please add this translation if you can
  • Old English: ġesund
  • Pashto: جوړ‎ (ps) (joṛ), ښه‎ (ps) (ẍë)
  • Polish: zdrowy (pl) m, zdrowa f
  • Portuguese: bem (pt)
  • Romanian: bine (ro)
  • Russian: здоро́вый (ru) (zdoróvyj)
  • Sanskrit: कल्य (sa) (kalya)
  • Scots: weel
  • Scottish Gaelic: math
  • Shan: please add this translation if you can
  • Sicilian: beni (scn)
  • Slovak: zdravý
  • Slovene: zdràv (sl)
  • Southern Thai: บาย
  • Spanish: bien (es)
  • Sundanese: pangéstu
  • Swedish: frisk (sv)
  • Sylheti: ꠜꠣꠟꠣ (bála)
  • Talysh:
    Asalemi: چاک‎ (câk), چک‎ (cək)
  • Telugu: బాగు (te) (bāgu)
  • Thai: สบาย (th) (sà-baai), สบายดี
  • Tok Pisin: no sik
  • Turkish: iyi (tr)
  • Ukrainian: здоро́вий (zdoróvyj)
  • Vietnamese: khỏe (vi), mạnh (vi)
  • Welsh: iawn (cy), iach (cy)
    Middle Welsh: yach
  • Zhuang: please add this translation if you can

prudent

  • Greek: καλός (el) m (kalós)
  • Hungarian: tanácsos (hu)
  • Swahili: kisima (sw)

Interjection[edit]

well

  1. Used to acknowledge a statement or situation.

    • 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 5, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients:

      “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.

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

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

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

  2. An exclamation of sarcastic surprise (often doubled or tripled and spoken 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. Used in speech to express the overcoming of reluctance to say something.

    • 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:

      “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.

    It was a bit… well… too loud.

  5. Used in speech to fill gaps, particularly at the beginning of a response to a question; filled pause.

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

    • 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
      Well, I am sorry. — It’s okay, Anna.

  6. (Hiberno-English) Used as a greeting

    Well lads. How’s things?

  7. Used as a question to demand an answer from someone reluctant to answer.

    And what do you think you’re doing? …Well?

Synonyms[edit]
  • (reluctance): like, you know
  • (filled pause): I mean, like
  • (acknowledgment of previous statement): so
  • (indignant): see, look, as if
Derived terms[edit]
  • well
  • welp
Translations[edit]

used to introduce a statement that may be contrary to expectations

  • Albanian: epo
  • Arabic: طيّب‎, حسنًا‎ (ar)
  • Assamese: বাৰু (baru)
  • Asturian: bien (ast)
  • Bulgarian: е добре (e dobre)
  • Catalan: bé (ca)
  • Chickasaw: haatokma̠
  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 好 (zh) (hǎo), 那 (zh) (nà), 那麽／那么 (zh) (nàme)
  • Czech: no (cs)
  • Danish: tja, nå, nåja
  • Dutch: nou (nl), nou ja
  • Esperanto: nu (eo)
  • Estonian: no (et)
  • Finnish: no (fi), tuota (fi)
  • French: eh bien (fr)
  • Georgian: აბა (ka) (aba), ბარე (bare), ბარემ (barem)
  • German: na (de), na ja (de)
  • Greek: λοιπόν (el) (loipón)
  • Hebrew: ואלה‎ (he) (wálla), ובכן‎ (he) (uvkhén), טוב‎ (he) (tov)
  • Hiligaynon: abá
  • Hindi: ख़ैर (xair)
  • Hungarian: hát (hu), nos (hu)
  • Irish: bhuel
  • Italian: beh (it), mbè
  • Japanese: うーん (ūn), ええと (ēto), あのう (ja) (anō)
  • Korean: 저기 (ko) (jeogi), 음 (ko) (eum)
  • Macedonian: е па (e pa), па (pa)
  • Maori: kāti, ehi
  • Pashto: مړه‎ (maṛa)
  • Persian: خٌب‎
  • Polish: cóż (pl), no (pl)
  • Portuguese: bem (pt), bom (pt)
  • Russian: так вот (ru) (tak vot), ну (ru) (nu), что ж (što ž)
  • Rusyn: но (no)
  • Saterland Frisian: nu
  • Scots: weel
  • Scottish Gaelic: uill
  • Slovak: no (sk)
  • Slovene: no (sl)
  • Spanish: bueno (es)
  • Swedish: tja (sv), nå (sv), nåja (sv)
  • Tagalog: puwes
  • Turkish: işte (tr), şey (tr), vallaha, yani (tr)
  • Tuvan: че (çe)
  • Ukrainian: ну (nu)
  • Welsh: wel
  • Yakut: чэ (ce)

to acknowledge a statement or situation

  • Bulgarian: добре (bg) (dobre)
  • Catalan: bé (ca)
  • Danish: tja
  • Esperanto: nu (eo)
  • Finnish: no (fi)
  • French: bien (fr)
  • German: gut (de)
  • Greek: καλά (el) (kalá), ωραία (el) (oraía)
  • Hebrew: טוב‎ (he) (tov)
  • Hiligaynon: abá
  • Hungarian: hát (hu)
  • Italian: beh (it)
  • Maori: tēnā, tēnā tēnā
  • Navajo: jó
  • Polish: cóż (pl)
  • Portuguese: bem (pt)
  • Spanish: bueno (es), pues (es)
  • Swedish: nämen (sv), tja (sv)
  • Tagalog: puwes
  • Turkish: peki (tr), pekâlâ (tr), öyleyse (tr)

exclamation of surprise

  • Bulgarian: нима (bg) (nima)
  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 啊哈 (zh) (āhā)
  • Danish: har man set
  • Esperanto: nu (eo)
  • Finnish: jopas, jopas jotakin
  • French: tiens! (fr)
  • Greek: για δες (gia des)
  • Hungarian: nocsak, nahát (hu), nohát
  • Icelandic: jæja (is)
  • Japanese: おやおや (oya-oya)
  • Macedonian: о́па (ópa)
  • Maori: e kī, āta koia, e kī, e kī, ehi
  • Polish: coś takiego (pl), no (pl)
  • Portuguese: ora, ora, muito bem, muito que bem
  • Russian: так (ru) (tak), так-так (tak-tak)
  • Scots: weel
  • Slovene: no (sl)
  • Spanish: vaya (es), anda (es), mira (es)
  • Swedish: har man sett, nämen (sv)
  • Tagalog: aba (tl)
  • Turkish: bak (tr), bak sen, bak bak
  • Welsh: bobol bach!; wel

used in conversation to fill space

  • Chinese:
    Mandarin: 哪個／哪个 (zh) (něige), 嗯 (zh) (ēn), 那 (zh) (nà)
  • Czech: no (cs)
  • Danish: tja, øh, eh, øhm, ehm
  • Esperanto: nu (eo)
  • Finnish: tuota (fi), niinku (fi)
  • French: ben (fr), écoutez (fr), bah (fr)
  • German: na (de), naja (de)
  • Greek: λοιπόν (el) (loipón), που λες (pou les)
  • Hebrew: טוב‎ (he) (tov), אז‎ (he) (az)
  • Hungarian: hát (hu)
  • Irish: bhuel
  • Japanese: ええと (ēto), あのう (ja) (anō)
  • Korean: 저어 (ko) (jeo’eo)
  • Lithuanian: na (lt)
  • Luganda: kale, mmm, eee
  • Macedonian: па (pa), е па (e pa), зна́чи (znáči)
  • Polish: hm (pl), no (pl), cóż (pl)
  • Portuguese: é… (Brazil), pois (pt) (Portugal), sabe (pt)
  • Russian: ну (ru) (nu), зна́чит (ru) (znáčit), э́то (ru) (éto), э (ru) (e) (colloquial)
  • Scots: weel
  • Scottish Gaelic: uill
  • Slovak: no (sk)
  • Slovene: no (sl), torej (sl)
  • Spanish: pues (es), este (es) (Latin America)
  • Swedish: tja (sv), öh (sv), eh
  • Turkish: şey (tr), işte (tr)
  • Ukrainian: ну (nu)
  • Welsh: wel

Etymology 2[edit]

From Middle English welle, from Old English wielle (“well”), from Proto-Germanic *wallijǭ (“well, swirl, wave”), from Proto-Indo-European *welH- (“to turn; wind; roll”).

Cognate with West Frisian wel (“well”), Dutch wel (“well”), German Low German Well (“well”), German Welle (“wave”), Danish væld (“well; spring”), Swedish väl (“well”), Icelandic vella (“boiling; bubbling; eruption”).

Noun[edit]

well (plural wells)

  1. A hole sunk into the ground as a source of water, oil, natural gas or other fluids.
  2. A place where a liquid such as water surfaces naturally; a spring.
  3. A small depression suitable for holding liquid or other objects.
    Make a well in the dough mixture and pour in the milk.
  4. (figurative) A source of supply.

    • 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:

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

  5. (nautical) A vertical, cylindrical trunk in a ship, reaching down to the lowest part of the hull, through which the bilge pumps operate.
  6. (nautical) The cockpit of a sailboat.
  7. (nautical) A 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. (nautical) A vertical passage in the stern into which an auxiliary screw propeller may be drawn up out of the water.
  9. (military) A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.
  10. (architecture) An 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. (metalworking) The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.
  13. A well drink.
    They’re having a special tonight: $1 wells.
  14. (video games) The playfield of Tetris and similar video games, into which the blocks fall.

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

      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.

  15. (biology) In a microtiter plate, each of the small equal circular or square sections which serve as test tubes.
Synonyms[edit]
  • (excavation in the earth, from which run branches or galleries): shaft
Derived terms[edit]
  • artesian well
  • Buckley Wells
  • Builth Wells
  • Cheyenne Wells
  • footwell
  • Holywell
  • Indian Wells
  • ink well
  • light well, lightwell (architecture)
  • Llandrindod Wells
  • Llangammarch Wells
  • Llanwrtyd Wells
  • Malvern Wells
  • oil well
  • Shap Wells
  • spare tire well, spare tyre well
  • stairwell
  • stepwell
  • Taff’s Well
  • Tenbury Wells
  • Tunbridge Wells
  • well car
  • well drilling
  • Well End
  • well wagon
  • well-boat
  • wellspring
  • window well (architecture)
  • wishing well
Translations[edit]

hole sunk into the ground

  • Afar: qeela
  • Afrikaans: fontein (af)
  • Albanian: pus (sq) m, burishtë (sq) f, ubël (sq) m, buronjë (sq) f
  • Amharic: ምንጭ (mənč̣)
  • Arabic: بِئْر‎ m (biʔr)
    Egyptian Arabic: بير‎ m (bīr)
    Gulf Arabic: بير‎ m (bīr), جليب‎ (jilīb)
    Hijazi Arabic: بير‎ m (bīr)
    Moroccan Arabic: بير‎ m (bīr)
  • Aramaic:
    Hebrew: בארא‎ f (bi’rā’)
    Syriac: ܒܐܪܐ‎ f (bi’rā’)
  • Armenian: ջրհոր (hy) (ǰrhor)
  • Aromanian: fãntãnã f, puts
  • Assamese: কুঁৱা (kũwa)
  • Asturian: pozu m
  • Avar: гъуй (ğuj)
  • Azerbaijani: quyu (az)
  • Balinese: sémér
  • Baluchi: چات‎ (cát)
  • Bashkir: ҡоҙоҡ (qoðoq), ҡойо (qoyo); (local) ҡотоҡ (qotoq), оро (oro)
  • Basque: putzu
  • Bau Bidayuh: prigi
  • Belarusian: сту́дзень (be) m (stúdzjenʹ), кало́дзеж m (kalódzjež)
  • Breton: puñs (br) m
  • Bulgarian: кла́денец (bg) m (kládenec)
  • Burmese: တွင်း (my) (twang:), ရေတွင်း (my) (re-twang:)
  • Catalan: pou (ca) m
  • Cebuano: mahusay
  • Central Melanau: teba
  • Chamicuro: itepo’sa
  • Chechen: гӏу (ğu)
  • Cherokee: ᎠᎹᏢᏗᎢ (amatlvdii)
  • Chinese:
    Dungan: җин (žin)
    Mandarin: 井 (zh) (jǐng)
  • Chuvash: ҫӑл (śăl), пусӑ (pus̬ă)
  • Czech: studna (cs) f, studánka (cs) f (for water), vrt (cs) m (for oil)
  • Danish: brønd c
  • Dutch: bron (nl) f, put (nl) m
  • Egyptian: (ẖnmt f)
  • Esperanto: puto (eo)
  • Estonian: kaev (et)
  • Faroese: brunnur m, bruður m
  • Finnish: kaivo (fi)
  • French: puits (fr) m
  • Friulian: poç m, poč m
  • Galician: pozo (gl) m
  • Georgian: ჭა (ka) (č̣a), წყარო (c̣q̇aro), წყალსატევი (c̣q̇alsaṭevi)
  • German: Brunnen (de) m, Quelle (de) f, Brunnenschacht m, Bohrloch (de) n
  • Greek: πηγάδι (el) n (pigádi)
    Ancient: φρέαρ n (phréar)
  • Hebrew: בְאֵר‎ (he) f (b’er)
  • Hindi: कूआँ m (kūā̃)
  • Hungarian: kút (hu)
  • Icelandic: brunnur (is) m, borhola f
  • Ido: puteo (io)
  • Ilocano: bubon n (literally)
  • Indonesian: sumur (id)
  • Ingush: гӏув (ğuw)
  • Interlingua: puteo
  • Irish: tobar m
    Old Irish: topar m
  • Italian: pozzo (it) m
  • Japanese: 井戸 (ja) (いど, ido)
  • Javanese: sumur (jv)
  • Kannada: ಬಾವಿ (kn) (bāvi)
  • Kazakh: құдық (qūdyq)
  • Khmer: អណ្ដូង (km) (ʼɑndoung)
  • Kimaragang: talaga
  • Korean: 샘 (ko) (saem) (for water), 우물 (ko) (umul) (for water)
  • Kurdish:
    Central Kurdish: بیر‎ (ckb) (bîr)
    Northern Kurdish: bêrim (ku)
  • Kyrgyz: кудук (ky) (kuduk)
  • Lao: ນ້ຳສ້າງ (nam sāng), ນ້ຳບໍ່ (nam bǭ), ນໍ້າສ້າງ (lo) (nam sāng)
  • Latin: puteus (la) m
  • Latvian: aka f
  • Lezgi: къуй (q̄uj)
  • Limburgish: pöt (li)
  • Lithuanian: šulinys m
  • Lombard: pozz (lmo), puss
  • Low German: Born (nds)
  • Luxembourgish: Pëtz
  • Macedonian: бунар m (bunar)
  • Malay: perigi (ms) (water), telaga minyak (oil), telaga, sumur (ms), luak (ms)
  • Malayalam: കിണർ (ml) (kiṇaṟ), ഊറ്റ് (ml) (ūṟṟŭ), ഉറവ (ml) (uṟava), എന്തിന്റെയും വറ്റാത്ത ഉറവ (entinṟeyuṃ vaṟṟātta uṟava)
  • Maltese: bir m
  • Manchu: ᡥᡡᠴᡳᠨ (hūcin)
  • Maori: puna
  • Mongolian:
    Cyrillic: худаг (mn) (xudag), (please verify) шанд (mn) (šand)
  • Mwani: nrimbu
  • Neapolitan: puzzo m
  • Nepali: ईनार (īnār)
  • Norman: pyit m
  • Norwegian: brønn (no)
    Nynorsk: brunn m
  • Occitan: potz (oc)
  • Ojibwe: onda’ibaan
  • Old Church Slavonic:
    Cyrillic: кладѧѕь m (kladędzĭ), стоуденьць m (studenĭcĭ)
  • Old East Slavic: колодѧзь m (kolodęzĭ), колодезь m (kolodezĭ)
  • Old Javanese: sumur
  • Oriya: please add this translation if you can
  • Ossetian: цъай (c’aj)
  • Ottoman Turkish: قیو‎ (kuyu)
  • Persian: چاه‎ (fa) (čâh)
  • Polish: studnia (pl) f
  • Portuguese: poço (pt) m
  • Punjabi: ਖੂਹ (khūh)
  • Romagnol: poz m
  • Romanian: fântână (ro) f (for water), puț (ro) n (both for water and oil, gas, etc.)
  • Romansch: puoz m
  • Russian: коло́дец (ru) m (kolódec) (for water), сква́жина (ru) f (skvážina) (for oil, gas), студене́ц m (studenéc)
  • Saho: ceela
  • Sanskrit: कूप (sa) m (kūpa)
  • Sardinian: pussu m, putzu m
  • Scottish Gaelic: fuaran m
  • Serbo-Croatian:
    Cyrillic: бу̀на̄р m, зде́нац m, студе́нац m
    Roman: bùnār (sh) m, zdénac (sh) m, studénac (sh) m
  • Sicilian: puzzu (scn) m
  • Slovak: studňa (sk) f
  • Slovene: vodnjak (sl) (for water), vrtina (for oil, gas, etc.)
  • Spanish: aljibe (es) m (for water), pozo (es) m (for oil, gas, etc.)
  • Swahili: kisima (sw)
  • Swedish: brunn (sv) c
  • Tabasaran: къуйи (q̄uji)
  • Tagalog: balon
  • Tajik: чоҳ (tg) (čoh)
  • Tamil: கிணறு (ta) (kiṇaṟu)
  • Tashelhit: ⴰⵍⵓ m (alu)
  • Tatar: кое (tt) (qoye)
  • Telugu: నుయ్యి (te) (nuyyi), బావి (te) (bāvi)
  • Ternate: sumu
  • Thai: บ่อน้ำ (bɔ̀ɔ-náam), ตะพัง (th) (dtà-pang), ตระพัง (th) (dtrà-pang)
  • Tibetan: ཁྲོན་པ (khron pa)
  • Tok Pisin: hul bilong wara
  • Turkish: kuyu (tr)
  • Turkmen: guýy, gowy (tk)
  • Ugaritic: 𐎁𐎛𐎗 (bỉr)
  • Ukrainian: коло́дязь m (kolódjazʹ), крини́ця (uk) f (krynýcja), коло́дець m (kolódecʹ)
  • Urdu: کنواں‎ m
  • Uyghur: قۇدۇق‎ (ug) (quduq)
  • Uzbek: quduq (uz), chuqur (uz)
  • Venetian: pos m, poso m
  • Veps: kaiv
  • Vietnamese: giếng (vi)
  • Walloon: pousse (wa) m
  • Welsh: ffynnon (cy) f
  • West Frisian: welle
  • Yiddish: ברונעם‎ m (brunem), קוואַל‎ m (kval), קרעניצע‎ f (krenitse)
  • Zazaki: bîr

spring

  • Arabic: عَيْن‎ (ar) f (ʕayn), بِئْر‎ (biʔr)
  • Armenian: աղբյուր (hy) (ałbyur)
  • Belarusian: жарало́ n (žaraló), крыні́ца f (kryníca)
  • Bulgarian: и́звор (bg) m (ízvor)
  • Catalan: deu (ca) m
  • Czech: pramen (cs) m
  • Danish: kilde (da) c
  • Dutch: bron (nl) f, wel (nl) f
  • Esperanto: fonto (eo)
  • Finnish: lähde (fi)
  • French: source (fr) f
  • Galician: manancial (gl) m
  • Georgian: წყარო (c̣q̇aro)
  • German: Quelle (de), Brunnen (de) m
  • Greek: νερομάνα (el) f (neromána), αστείρευτη πηγή f (asteírefti pigí)
  • Hebrew: מעיין מַעְיָן‎ (he) m (ma’yán)
  • Hungarian: forrás (hu)
  • Luxembourgish: Quell f
  • Macedonian: извор m (izvor)
  • Maori: puna, matatiki
  • Mongolian:
    Cyrillic: булаг (mn) (bulag)
  • Mòcheno: prunn m
  • Persian: چاه‎ (fa)
  • Portuguese: fonte (pt) f, vertente (pt) f, vertedouro m
  • Russian: родни́к (ru) m (rodník), ключ (ru) (ključ), исто́чник (ru) m (istóčnik), студене́ц m (studenéc)
  • Scots: wall
  • Scottish Gaelic: fuaran m
  • Serbo-Croatian:
    Cyrillic: вре̏ло n, вру́так m, ѝзвор m
    Roman: vrȅlo (sh) n, vrútak (sh), ìzvor (sh) m
  • Slovak: žriedlo n, prameň m
  • Spanish: manantial (es) m, venero (es) m
  • Swedish: källa (sv)
  • Thai: บ่อน้ำ (bɔ̀ɔ-náam)
  • Turkish: pınar (tr), kaynak (tr), memba (tr)
  • Ukrainian: джерело́ (uk) n (džereló), крини́ця (uk) f (krynýcja)
  • Venetian: sortiva f, boja f
  • Veps: purde
  • Yiddish: קוואַל‎ m (kval), קרעניצע‎ f (krenitse)

nautical: trunk reaching to the lowest part of the hull

cockpit of a sailing boat — see cockpit

nautical: compartment in the middle of the hold of a fishing vessel to keep fish alive

  • Finnish: sumppu (fi)

nautical: vertical passage in the stern for auxiliary screw propeller

military: hole or excavation in the earth

  • Finnish: potero (fi)

open space between the bench and the counsel tables in a courtroom

video games: playfield of Tetris and similar games

Etymology 3[edit]

From Middle English wellen, from a merger of Old English weallan (intransitive) and wiellan (transitive), both meaning “to boil.” Further from Proto-Germanic *wallaną and *wallijaną. Doublet of wall.

Cognate with German wallen (“boil, seethe”), Danish vælde (“gush”), Norwegian Nynorsk vella and outside Germanic, with Albanian valë (“hot, boiling”).

Verb[edit]

well (third-person singular simple present wells, present participle welling, simple past and past participle welled)

  1. (intransitive) To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.

    • 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:

      [Blood] welled from out the wound.
    • 1824, William Cullen Bryant, A Forest Hymn
      [Yon spring] wells softly forth.
  2. (intransitive) To have something seep out of the surface.
    Her eyes welled with tears.
Derived terms[edit]
  • upwell
  • well up
Translations[edit]

to issue forth

  • Bulgarian: бликам (bg) (blikam), извирам (bg) (izviram)
  • Czech: prýštit
  • Danish: vælde
  • Dutch: vloeien (nl), opwellen (nl)
  • Finnish: pursua (fi), pursuta (fi); kummuta
  • Galician: xurdir (gl)
  • German: quellen (de)
  • Greek: αναβλύζω (el) (anavlýzo)
  • Hebrew: נבע‎ (he) (navá), זרם‎ (he) (zarám)
  • Hungarian: feltör (hu), fakad (hu), kibuggyan
  • Italian: sgorgare (it)
  • Japanese: にじみ出る (nijimideru)
  • Portuguese: verter (pt)
  • Spanish: manar (es), brotar (es)
  • Swedish: välla (sv)

to have something seep out of the surface

References[edit]

  • well at OneLook Dictionary Search
  • “well”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.

German[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

Verb[edit]

well

  1. singular imperative of wellen
  2. (colloquial) first-person singular present of wellen

Luxembourgish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From the accusative of Middle High German wīle, from Old High German wīla, from Proto-West Germanic *hwīlu. Cognate with German weil.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /væl/
  • Rhymes: -æl
  • Homophone: Well

Conjunction[edit]

well

  1. because

    Ech gi geschwënn um Bett, well ech midd sinn.

    I’m going to bed soon because I am tired.

Middle English[edit]

Adverb[edit]

well

  1. Alternative form of wel

Adjective[edit]

well

  1. Alternative form of wel

Old English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Proto-Germanic *wallijǭ, whence also Old High German wella, Old Norse vella.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /well/, [weɫ]

Noun[edit]

well m

  1. well

Declension[edit]

Declension of well (strong a-stem)

Descendants[edit]

  • English: well

Pennsylvania German[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle High German welich, from Old High German welih. Compare German welch.

Adverb[edit]

well

  1. which

Pronoun[edit]

well

  1. which

Welsh[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (North Wales) IPA(key): /ˈwɛɬ/
  • (South Wales) IPA(key): /ˈweːɬ/, /ˈwɛɬ/

Adjective[edit]

well

  1. Soft mutation of gwell.

Adverb[edit]

well

  1. Soft mutation of gwell.

Mutation[edit]

Welsh mutation
radical soft nasal aspirate
gwell well ngwell unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

Yola[edit]

Etymology 1[edit]

Adverb[edit]

well

  1. Alternative form of waal (“well”)

    • 1867, “A YOLA ZONG”, in SONGS, ETC. IN THE DIALECT OF FORTH AND BARGY, number 2:

      Well, gosp, c’hull be zeid; mot thee fartoo, an fade;

      Well, gossip, it shall be told; you ask what ails me, and for what;

Etymology 2[edit]

Verb[edit]

well

  1. Alternative form of woul (“will”)

    • 1867, “A YOLA ZONG”, in SONGS, ETC. IN THE DIALECT OF FORTH AND BARGY, number 5:

      Nore zichel ne’er well, nowe, nore ne’er mey.

      Nor such never will, no, nor never may.

Etymology 3[edit]

From Middle English welle, from Old English wielle.

Noun[edit]

well

  1. well

    • 1927, “LAMENT OF A WIDOW”, in THE ANCIENT DIALECT OF THE BARONIES OF FORTH AND BARGY, COUNTY WEXFORD, line 5:

      An Brogeen ee-dreut in a well o Caam Stone.

      And ‘Brogeen’ drowned in the well of Camstone.

References[edit]

  • Jacob Poole (1867), William Barnes, editor, A Glossary, With some Pieces of Verse, of the old Dialect of the English Colony in the Baronies of Forth and Bargy, County of Wexford, Ireland, London: J. Russell Smith, page 84 & 86
  • Kathleen A. Browne (1927) The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Sixth Series, Vol.17 No.2, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, page 130
Источник

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