Home » Dictionary (Glossary) » Well

Well

[n] a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine
[n] 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
[n] an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)
[n] a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
[n] an abundant source; "she was a well of information"
[adv] (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard; "the children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis"; "a well-planned party"; (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well' as in"the baby can walk pretty good")
[adv] without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor; "took the joke well"; "took the tragic news well"
[adv] indicating high probability; in all likelihood; "I might well do it"; "a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster"; "you may well need your umbrella"; "he could equally well be trying to deceive us"
[adv] 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"
[adv] favorably; with approval; "their neighbors spoke well of them"; "he thought well of the book"
[adv] 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"
[adv] in financial comfort; "They live well"; "she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died"
[adv] in a manner affording benefit or advantage; "she married well"; "The children were settled advantageously in Seattle"
[adv] to a great extent or degree; "I'm afraid the film was well over budget"; "painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger"; "the house has fallen considerably in value"; "the price went up substantially"
[adv] with skill or in a pleasing manner; "she dances well"; "he writes well"
[adv] with prudence or propriety; "You would do well to say nothing more"; "could not well refuse"
[adv] with great or especially intimate knowledge; "we knew them well"
[adv] (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) "a book well worth reading"; "was well aware of the difficulties ahead"; "suspected only too well what might be going on"
[adj] 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"
[v] come up, as of liquids; "Tears well in her eyes"