First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1well
noun \ˈwel\
: a deep hole made in the ground through which water can be removed
Full Definition of WELL
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>
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Origin of WELL
Middle English welle, from Old English; akin to Old English weallan to bubble, boil, Old High German wella wave, Lithuanian vilnis
Related to WELL
- Synonyms
- cradle, font, fountain, fountainhead, origin, root, seedbed, spring, source, wellspring
Other Civil Engineering Terms
2well
verb
of a liquid : to rise to a surface and flow out
Full Definition of WELL
intransitive verb
1
: to rise to the surface and usually flow forth <tears welled from her eyes>
2
: to rise like a flood of liquid <longing welled up in his breast>
transitive verb
: to emit in a copious free flow
See well defined for English-language learners
Origin of WELL
Middle English, from Old English wellan to cause to well; akin to Old English weallan to bubble, boil
First Known Use: before 12th century
3well
adverb
: in a successful way
: in a skillful way
: in a good, proper, or positive way
bet·ter \ˈbe-tər\ best \ˈbest\
Full Definition of WELL
1
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>
7
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
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>
— as well
1
: in addition : also <there were other features as well>
2
: to the same extent or degree : as much <open as well to the poor as to the rich>
3
: with equivalent, comparable, or more favorable effect <might just as well have stayed home>
See well defined for English-language learners
Usage Discussion of WELL
An old notion that it is wrong to say “I feel good” in reference to health still occasionally appears in print. The origins of this notion are obscure, but they seem to combine someone's idea that good should be reserved to describe virtue and uncertainty about whether an adverb or an adjective should follow feel. Today nearly everyone agrees that both good and well can be predicate adjectives after feel. Both are used to express good health, but good may connote good spirits in addition to good health.
Adverbial good has been under attack from the schoolroom since the 19th century. Insistence on well rather than good has resulted in a split in connotation: well is standard, neutral, and colorless, while good is emotionally charged and emphatic. This makes good the adverb of choice in sports <“I'm seeing the ball real good” is what you hear — Roger Angell>. In such contexts as <listen up. And listen good — Alex Karras> <lets fly with his tomatoes before they can flee. He gets Clarence good — Charles Dickinson> good cannot be adequately replaced by well. Adverbial good is primarily a spoken form; in writing it occurs in reported and fictional speech and in generally familiar or informal contexts.
Adverbial good has been under attack from the schoolroom since the 19th century. Insistence on well rather than good has resulted in a split in connotation: well is standard, neutral, and colorless, while good is emotionally charged and emphatic. This makes good the adverb of choice in sports <“I'm seeing the ball real good” is what you hear — Roger Angell>. In such contexts as <listen up. And listen good — Alex Karras> <lets fly with his tomatoes before they can flee. He gets Clarence good — Charles Dickinson> good cannot be adequately replaced by well. Adverbial good is primarily a spoken form; in writing it occurs in reported and fictional speech and in generally familiar or informal contexts.
Origin of WELL
Middle English wel, from Old English; akin to Old High German wela well, Old English wyllan to wish — more at will
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to WELL
- Synonyms
- acceptably, adequately, all right, alright, creditably, decently, fine, good, middlingly, nicely, OK (or okay), passably, respectably, satisfactorily, serviceably, so-so, sufficiently, tolerably
- Antonyms
- bad, badly, deficiently, ill, inadequately, insufficiently, intolerably, poorly, unacceptably, unsatisfactorily
4well
interjection
—used to show that you are unsure about something you are saying
—used to show that you accept something even though you are not happy about it
—used when you are trying to persuade someone or to make someone feel less upset, worried, etc.
Full Definition of WELL
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?>
See well defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WELL
before 12th century
5well
adjective
: in good health
: in a good or satisfactory state
: wise, sensible, or reasonable
Full Definition of WELL
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>
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>
See well defined for English-language learners
Usage Discussion of WELL
An old notion that it is wrong to say “I feel good” in reference to health still occasionally appears in print. The origins of this notion are obscure, but they seem to combine someone's idea that good should be reserved to describe virtue and uncertainty about whether an adverb or an adjective should follow feel. Today nearly everyone agrees that both good and well can be predicate adjectives after feel. Both are used to express good health, but good may connote good spirits in addition to good health.
Adverbial good has been under attack from the schoolroom since the 19th century. Insistence on well rather than good has resulted in a split in connotation: well is standard, neutral, and colorless, while good is emotionally charged and emphatic. This makes good the adverb of choice in sports <“I'm seeing the ball real good” is what you hear — Roger Angell>. In such contexts as <listen up. And listen good — Alex Karras> <lets fly with his tomatoes before they can flee. He gets Clarence good — Charles Dickinson> good cannot be adequately replaced by well. Adverbial good is primarily a spoken form; in writing it occurs in reported and fictional speech and in generally familiar or informal contexts.
Adverbial good has been under attack from the schoolroom since the 19th century. Insistence on well rather than good has resulted in a split in connotation: well is standard, neutral, and colorless, while good is emotionally charged and emphatic. This makes good the adverb of choice in sports <“I'm seeing the ball real good” is what you hear — Roger Angell>. In such contexts as <listen up. And listen good — Alex Karras> <lets fly with his tomatoes before they can flee. He gets Clarence good — Charles Dickinson> good cannot be adequately replaced by well. Adverbial good is primarily a spoken form; in writing it occurs in reported and fictional speech and in generally familiar or informal contexts.
First Known Use of WELL
before 12th century
Related to WELL
Synonym Discussion of WELL
healthy, sound, wholesome, robust, hale, well mean enjoying or indicative of good health. healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease <a healthy family>. sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction <a sound heart>. wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance <a face with a wholesome glow>. robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly <a lively, robust little boy>. hale applies particularly to robustness in old age <still hale at the age of eighty>. well implies merely freedom from disease or illness <she has never been a well person>.
WELL[1] Defined for Kids
1well
adverb \ˈwel\
bet·ter \ˈbe-tər\best \ˈbest\
Definition of WELL for Kids
1
: in a skillful or expert manner <He plays the guitar well.>
2
: by as much as possible : completely <We are well aware of the problem.>
3
: in such a way as to be pleasing : as wanted <Everything went well.>
4
: without trouble <We could well afford the cost.>
5
: in a thorough manner <Shake well before using.>
6
: in a familiar manner <I know them well.>
7
: by quite a lot <There was well over a million.>
8
: so as to be right : in a satisfactory way <Do your work well.>
9
: in a complimentary or generous way <They always speak well of you.>
10
: with reason or courtesy <I cannot well refuse.>
— as well
1
: in addition : also <She has other hobbies as well.>
2
: with the same result <We might as well walk.>
2well
interjection
Definition of WELL for Kids
1
—used to express surprise or doubt <Well! I didn't expect to see you!>
2
—used to begin a conversation or remark or to continue one that was interrupted <Well, now where was I?>
3well
noun
Definition of WELL for Kids
1
: a hole made in the earth to reach a natural deposit (as of water, oil, or gas)
2
: a source of supply <He was a well of news.>
3
: something like a deep hole <Voices echoed in the well of the great hall.>
4well
adjective
Definition of WELL for Kids
1
: being in a satisfactory or good state <All is well.>
2
: free or recovered from ill health : healthy
3
: fortunate 1 <It was well that we left.>
5well
verb
welledwell·ing
Definition of WELL for Kids
: to rise to the surface and flow out <Tears welled up in her eyes.>
Medical Dictionary
well
adjective \ˈwel\
Medical Definition of WELL
1
: free or recovered from infirmity or disease : healthy <a well person>
2
: completely cured or healed <the wound is nearly well>
Learn More About WELL
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Seen & Heard
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