well

Meanings

• a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine
• a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
• an abundant source
  • "she was a well of information"
• an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)
• 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
• come up, as of a liquid
  • "Tears well in her eyes"
  • "the currents well up"
• 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"
• resulting favorably
  • "it is well that no one saw you"
  • "all's well that ends well"
• wise or advantageous and hence advisable
  • "it would be well to start early"
• (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"
• 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"
• 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"
• (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"
• 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"
• favorably; with approval
  • "their neighbors spoke well of them"
  • "he thought well of the book"
• to a great extent or degree
  • "I'm afraid the film was well over budget"
• with great or especially intimate knowledge
  • "we knew them well"
• with prudence or propriety
  • "You would do well to say nothing more"
  • "could not well refuse"
• with skill or in a pleasing manner
  • "she dances well"
  • "he writes well"
• in a manner affording benefit or advantage
  • "she married well"
• in financial comfort
  • "They live well"
• without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor
  • "took the joke well"
  • "took the tragic news well"

Synonyms

advantageously, comfortably, considerably, easily, fountainhead, good, intimately, substantially, swell, wellspring