—well /wel/
adjective [usually after verb] (better, best)
► A1 healthy; not ill: » He hasn't been too well lately.» When she came home from school she really didn't look well.» I'm sorry you're ill - I hope you get well soon.» They sent a get well card.Thesaurus+: ↑Fit and healthy• • •
Extra Examples:» He didn't feel very well after getting off the bike.» I'm very well thank you.» She wasn't feeling well, so I don't think she gave of her best tonight.» She wasn't feeling well, so she went home early.» I'm not well. I'd better not go out.adverb (better, best) (IN A GOOD WAY)
► A1 in a good way, to a high or satisfactory standard: » The documentary presented both sides of the problem very well.» The concert was well enough advertised but ticket sales were poor.» a well-cut suit» a well-paid job» Her points were well put (= expressed in a good or clever way).» His point about the need to reduce waste was well taken (= it was accepted as a good criticism).» They took two hours to discuss the plans and considered it time well spent (= it had been a useful discussion).» I can't do it as well as Marie can.Thesaurus+: ↑Good, better and best , ↑Informal words for good , ↑Quite good, or not very good• • •
Extra Examples:» I think she coped very well under the circumstances.» Your painting has come out really well.» The tyres on my car don't cope very well on wet roads.» We're getting on quite well with the decorating.» My golf was terrible today - I just didn't strike the ball well.adverb (better, best) (IN ADDITION)
as well (as)► A1 in addition (to): » Invite Emlyn - and Simon as well.» I want to visit Andrew as well as Martin.Thesaurus+: ↑Also, extra, and in additionCommon mistake: as well! Warning: as well usually goes at the end of a clause:✗ As well, the hotel offers a discount for students.» The hotel offers a discount for students as well.! At the beginning of a sentence, use also or in addition:» Also, the hotel offers a discount for students.adverb (better, best) (REASONABLY)
► B2 with good reason: » She might well be the best person to ask.» I can't very well (= it would not be acceptable to) refuse their kind offer.Thesaurus+: ↑Reasons and explanations• • •
Extra Examples:» This might well be our last chance to see each other before Christmas.» You might well wonder what happened to all the food we prepared.» It's just as well you brought an umbrella. It's going to rain.» You can't very well take it back to the shop now that you've worn it.» You'd be as well to confirm the bookings before you arrive.adverb (better, best) (TO A GREAT DEGREE)
A2 very much, to a great degree, or completely:
» Knead the dough well, then divide it into four pieces.» He could well imagine how much his promise was going to cost him.» I can't catch the bus - there are no buses after midnight, as you well know.» He's plays the piano well enough (= to a satisfactory standard).Thesaurus+: ↑Very and extreme , ↑Complete and whole , ↑Intensifying expressionsC1 used to emphasize some prepositions:
» The results are well above/below what we expected.» Keep well away from the edge of the cliff.» It cost well over £100.» Stand well clear of the doors!Thesaurus+: ↑Very and extreme , ↑Complete and whole , ↑Intensifying expressionsB2 used to emphasize some adjectives:
» The police are well aware of the situation.» The museum is well worth a visit.» Some machines look more like cheap, plastic toys - leave these well alone.Thesaurus+: ↑Very and extreme , ↑Complete and whole , ↑Intensifying expressionsF0 UK SLANG very:
» The film was well good.» Watch out for those two - they're well hard (= strong and willing to use violence).Thesaurus+: ↑Very and extreme , ↑Complete and whole , ↑Intensifying expressions• • •
Extra Examples:» She's well aware of her strengths and weaknesses as an artist.» The scheme was well thought out.» The instructions on the fireworks said "Light the blue touchpaper, and stand well clear."» Tickets are selling well for the group's upcoming concert tour.» She managed to complete her last film well within budget.exclamation
► A1 used to introduce something you are going to say, often to show surprise, doubt, slight disagreement, or anger, or to continue a story: » Well, what shall we do now?» Well now/then, how are we going to arrange things?» "Who was that?" "Well, I'm afraid I can't remember her name."» "He's decided to give up his job and move to the north with her." "Well, well - that's what love does for you."» Well, really, how thoughtless of him!» Well? What did you do next?» Well, after that we went camping in the mountains.» Well/Oh well, it doesn't matter - I can always buy another one.» Very well, if you insist I'll meet him next week.Thesaurus+: ↑Connecting words joining words or phrases with similar or related meanings• • •
Extra Examples:» Well now, what are we doing about that?» Oh well, never mind.» Well, well. Who'd have thought things would turn out like this.» Well? How did your exam go?» Well really! How rude!noun [C]
► F0 a deep hole in the ground from which you can get water, oil, or gas→ SEE ALSO STAIRWELL(Cf. ↑stairwell)Thesaurus+: ↑Parts of watercourses• • •
Extra Examples:» By this time all the wells had run dry.» Sinking more wells is the best way of supplying the population with clean drinking water.» Flames spouted out from the oil wells.» The well ran dry.» The cottage has a well in the front garden.verb [I usually + adv/prep] ↑Verb Endings for well
► F0 (of liquid) to appear on the surface of something or come slowly out from somewhere: » Dirty water welled (up) out of the damaged pipe.» As she read the letter tears welled up in her eyes.» FIGURATIVE Conflicting emotions welled up in his heart.Thesaurus+: ↑Movement of liquids