I. ˈwel noun
Etymology: Middle English welle, from Old English; akin to Old English weallan to bubble, boil, Old High German wella wave, Lithuanian vilnis
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : an issue of water from the earth : a pool fed by a spring
b. : source , origin
2.
a. : a pit or hole sunk into the earth to reach a supply of water
b. : a shaft or hole sunk to obtain oil, brine, or gas
3.
a. : an enclosure in the middle of a ship's hold to protect from damage and facilitate the inspection of the pumps
b. : a compartment in the hold of a fishing boat in which fish are kept alive
4. : an open space extending vertically through floors of a structure
5. : a space having a construction or shape suggesting a well for water
6.
a. : something resembling a well in being damp, cool, deep, or dark
b. : a deep vertical hole
c. : a source from which something may be drawn as needed
7. : a pronounced minimum of a variable in physics
a potential well
II. verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wellan to cause to well; akin to Old English weallan to bubble, boil
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to rise to the surface and usually flow forth
tears well ed from her eyes
2. : to rise like a flood of liquid
longing well ed up in his breast
transitive verb
: to emit in a copious free flow
III. adverb
( bet·ter ˈbe-tər ; best ˈbest)
Etymology: Middle English wel, from Old English; akin to Old High German wela well, Old English wyllan to wish — more at will
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : in a good or proper manner : justly , rightly
b. : satisfactorily with respect to conduct or action
did well in math
works well under pressure
2. : in a kindly or friendly manner
spoke well of your idea
wished them well
3.
a. : with skill or aptitude : expertly , excellently
paints well
b. : satisfactorily
the plan worked well
c. : with good appearance or effect : elegantly
carried himself well
4. : with careful or close attention : attentively
watch well what I do
5. : to a high degree
well deserved the honor
a well -equipped kitchen
— often used as an intensifier or qualifier
there are…vacancies pretty well all the time — Listener
6. : fully , quite
well worth the price
7.
a. : in a way appropriate to the facts or circumstances : fittingly , rightly
well said
b. : in a prudent manner : sensibly — used with do
you would do well to reread the material
8. : in accordance with the occasion or circumstances : with propriety or good reason
cannot well refuse
the decision may well be questioned
9.
a. : as one could wish : pleasingly
the idea didn't sit well with her
b. : with material success : advantageously
married well
10.
a. : easily , readily
could well afford a new car
b. : in all likelihood : indeed
it may well be true
11. : in a prosperous or affluent manner
he lives well
12. : to an extent approaching completeness : thoroughly
after being well dried with a towel
13. : without doubt or question : clearly
well knew the penalty
14. : in a familiar manner
knew her well
15. : to a large extent or degree : considerably , far
well over a million
Usage: see good
•
- as well
IV. interjection
Date: before 12th century
1. — used to indicate resumption of discourse or to introduce a remark
they are, well , not quite what you'd expect
2. — used to express surprise or expostulation
well , what have we here?
V. adjective
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : prosperous , well-off
b. : being in satisfactory condition or circumstances
2. : being in good standing or favor
3. : satisfactory , pleasing
all's well that ends well
4. : advisable , desirable
it might be well for you to leave
5.
a. : free or recovered from infirmity or disease : healthy
he's not a well man
b. : completely cured or healed
the wound is nearly well
6. : pleasing or satisfactory in appearance
our garden looks well — Conrad Aiken
7. : being a cause for thankfulness : fortunate
it is well that this has happened
Synonyms: see healthy
Usage: see good