well

(noun, adjective, verb, adverb, interjection)

adjective

1. in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury

- appears to be entirely well

- the wound is nearly well

- a well man

Similar word(s): fit, healthy, asymptomatic, symptomless, cured, healed, recovered

2. resulting favorably

- it is well that no one saw you

- all's well that ends well

Similar word(s): fortunate, good

3. wise or advantageous and hence advisable

- it would be well to start early

Similar word(s): advisable

Sentences with well as an adjective:

- I had been sick, but now I'm well.

adverb

1. (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

Similar word(s): good

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

- The problem is well understood

- she was well informed

- shake well before using

3. 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

Similar word(s): easily

4. (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

5. 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. favorably; with approval

- their neighbors spoke well of them

- he thought well of the book

7. to a great extent or degree

- I'm afraid the film was well over budget

Similar word(s): considerably, substantially

8. with great or especially intimate knowledge

- we knew them well

Similar word(s): intimately

9. with prudence or propriety

- You would do well to say nothing more

- could not well refuse

10. with skill or in a pleasing manner

- she dances well

- he writes well

11. in a manner affording benefit or advantage

- she married well

Similar word(s): advantageously

12. in financial comfort

- They live well

Similar word(s): comfortably

13. without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor

- took the joke well

- took the tragic news well

Sentences with well as an adverb:

- He does his job well.

- a well done steak

- That author is well known.

interjection

1. Used to acknowledge a statement or situation.

- “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 surprise, often doubled or tripled.

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

3. Used in speech to express the overcoming of reluctance to say something.

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

4. Used in speech to fill gaps; filled pause.

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

noun

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

Definition categories: man–made, excavation

2. a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid

Definition categories: man–made, vessel

3. an abundant source

- she was a well of information

Similar word(s): fountainhead, wellspring

Definition categories: communication, source

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

Definition categories: man–made, shaft

5. 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

Definition categories: man–made, compartment

Sentences with well as a noun:

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

verb

1. come up, as of a liquid

- Tears well in her eyes

- the currents well up

Similar word(s): swell

Definition categories: motion, rise, surface

Sentences with well as a verb:

- Her eyes welled with tears.