n.
- A deep hole or shaft sunk into the earth to obtain water, oil, gas, or brine.
- A container or reservoir for a liquid, such as ink.
- A place where water issues from the earth; a spring or fountain.
- A mineral spring.
- wells A watering place; a spa.
- An abundant source: a well of information.
- An open space extending vertically through the floors of a building, as for stairs or ventilation.
- Nautical.
- An enclosure in a ship's hold for the pumps.
- A compartment or recessed area in a ship, used for stowage: an anchor well.
- A part of a ship's weather deck enclosed between two watertight bulkheads.
- A cistern with a perforated bottom in the hold of a fishing vessel for keeping fish alive.
- An enclosed space for receiving and holding something, such as the wheels of an airplane when retracted.
- Chiefly British. The central space in a law court, directly in front of the judge's bench, where the counsel or solicitor sits.
v., welled, well·ing, wells. v.intr.
- To rise to the surface, ready to flow: Tears welled in my eyes.
- To rise or surge from an inner source: Anger welled up in me.
To pour forth.
[Middle English welle, from Old English.]
well2 (wĕl)
adv., bet·ter (bĕt'ər), best (bĕst).
- In a good or proper manner: behaved well.
- Skillfully or proficiently: dances well.
- Satisfactorily or sufficiently: slept well.
- Successfully or effectively: gets along well with people.
- In a comfortable or affluent manner: lived well.
- In a manner affording benefit or gain; advantageously: married well.
- With reason or propriety; reasonably: can't very well say no.
- In all likelihood; indeed: You may well need your umbrella.
- In a prudent or sensible manner: You would do well to say nothing more.
- In a close or familiar manner: knew them well.
- In a favorable or approving manner: spoke well of them.
- Thoroughly; completely: well cooked; cooked well.
- Perfectly; clearly: I well understand your intentions.
- To a suitable or appropriate degree: This product will answer your needs equally well.
- To a considerable extent or degree: well over the estimate.
- With care or attention: listened well.
- Entirely; fully: well worth seeing.
- In a satisfactory condition; right or proper: All is well.
- Not ailing, infirm, or diseased; healthy. See synonyms at healthy.
- Cured or healed, as a wound.
- Of or characterized by the maintenance of good health practices. Often used in combination: a well-baby clinic; a well-child visit to the doctor.
- Advisable; prudent: It would be well not to ask.
- Fortunate; good: It is well that you stayed.
- Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation.
- Used to express surprise.
as well
- In addition; also: mentioned other matters as well.
- With equal effect: I might as well go.
- In a position to influence or be favored by: He's in well with management.
[Middle English wel, from Old English.]
USAGE NOTE English speakers have used well both as an adjective and as an adverb since Old English times. When applied to people, the adjective well usually refers to a state of health. Like similar adjectives, such as ill and faint, well in this use is normally restricted to the predicate, as in He hasn't been well lately. Well does see occasional use before a noun, as in Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Dick eats like a well man, and drinks like a sick." It also appears in compound adjectives like well-baby, which is well known to pediatricians and recent parents. Good, on the other hand, has a much wider range of senses, including "attractive," as in He looks good, and "competent," as in She's pretty good for a beginner, as well as "healthy." See Usage Notes at good.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
