well 1
/wel/ , adv., adj., compar. better , superl. best , interj., n.
adv.
1. in a good or satisfactory manner: Business is going well.
2. thoroughly, carefully, or soundly: to shake well before using; listen well.
3. in a moral or proper manner: to behave well.
4. commendably, meritoriously, or excellently: a difficult task well done.
5. with propriety, justice, or reason: I could not well refuse.
6. adequately or sufficiently: Think well before you act.
7. to a considerable extent or degree: a sum well over the amount agreed upon.
8. with great or intimate knowledge: to know a person well.
9. certainly; without doubt: I anger easily, as you well know.
10. with good nature; without rancor: He took the joke well.
11. as well ,
a. in addition; also; too: She insisted on directing the play and on producing it as well.
b. equally: The town grew as well because of its location as because of its superb climate.
12. as well as , as much or as truly as; equally as: Joan is witty as well as intelligent.
adj.
13. in good health; sound in body and mind: Are you well? He is not a well man.
14. satisfactory, pleasing, or good: All is well with us.
15. proper, fitting, or gratifying: It is well that you didn't go.
16. in a satisfactory position; well-off: I am very well as I am.
17. leave well enough alone , avoid changing something that is satisfactory.
interj.
18. (used to express surprise, reproof, etc.): Well! There's no need to shout.
19. (used to introduce a sentence, resume a conversation, etc.): Well, who would have thought he could do it?
n.
20. well-being; good fortune; success: to wish well to someone.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE wel ( l ) (adj. and adv.); c. D wel, G wohl, ON vel, Goth waila ]
Syn. 3. properly, correctly. 4. skillfully, adeptly, accurately, efficiently. 5. suitably. 6. fully, amply. 7. rather, quite. 13. healthy, hale, hearty. 14. fine. 15. suitable, befitting, appropriate. 16. fortunate, happy.
Ant. 3. poorly, badly. 13. ill, sick.
Usage . See good .
well 2
/wel/ , 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.: He was a well of gentleness and courtesy.
4. a container, receptacle, or reservoir for a liquid: the well of ink in a fountain pen.
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. Naut.
a. a part of a weather deck between two superstructures, extending from one side of a vessel to the other.
b. a compartment or enclosure around a ship's pumps to make them easily accessible and protect them from being damaged by the cargo.
7. 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.
8. any shaft dug or bored into the earth, as for storage space or a mine.
v.i.
9. 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.
10. to send welling up or forth: a fountain welling its pure water.
adj.
11. like, of, resembling, from, or used in connection with a well.
[ bef. 900; (n.) ME well ( e ), OE wylle, wella, welle; c. G Welle wave; (v.) ME wellen, OE wellan (c. D wellen, ON vella ); both n. and v. ult. akin to weallan to boil ]
Syn. 3. store, fund, mine, fount.