well
well
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling:
/wɛl/ (General American, Received Pronunciation)
w - /w/ (as in "we")
e - /ɛ/ (as in "bed")
ll - /l/ (as in "light")
Word Form Variations
Well" is a highly versatile word that can function as an adverb, adjective, noun, verb, and interjection.
Adverb: well (comparative: better, superlative: best)
Adjective: well (comparative: better, superlative: best)
Noun:
Singular: well
Plural: wells
Verb:
Base form: well
Third person singular present: wells
Present participle: welling
Past tense: welled
Past participle: welled
Interjection: well
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
In a good or satisfactory manner; correctly or skillfully.
Example: "She plays the piano well."
Synonyms: skillfully, expertly, proficiently, ably, correctly, properly
Antonyms: poorly, badly, incorrectly, unskillfully, ineptly
To a considerable or extensive degree; thoroughly or fully.
Example: "He knows the material well."
Synonyms: thoroughly, deeply, fully, extensively, considerably, greatly
Antonyms: superficially, barely, slightly, hardly
In a comfortable, prosperous, or fortunate way.
Example: "They live well on their retirement savings."
Synonyms: comfortably, prosperously, fortunately, easily
Antonyms: poorly, badly, miserably, uncomfortably
Adjective
In good health; free from illness or injury.
Example: "I hope you are feeling well."
Synonyms: healthy, hale, hearty, fine, fit, sound
Antonyms: ill, sick, unwell, ailing, unhealthy
Satisfactory or appropriate. (Less common as a standalone adjective, often in predicative use)
Example: "All is well with the new system."
Synonyms: satisfactory, good, fine, acceptable, appropriate
Antonyms: unsatisfactory, bad, poor, inappropriate
Noun
A deep hole or shaft dug or drilled into the ground to obtain water, oil, or gas.
Synonyms: shaft, bore, spring, fountain, reservoir
Antonyms: (None directly applicable as it's a specific structure)
An enclosed space in the middle of a building, often for a staircase, elevator, or light. (e.g., stairwell, lightwell)
Synonyms: shaft, cavity, void, opening
Antonyms: (None directly applicable as it's a specific architectural feature)
Verb
To rise to the surface and flow out, as a liquid from a source; to gush or stream. (Often used with "up" or "out")
Example: "Tears welled up in her eyes."
Synonyms: flow, gush, stream, surge, pour, seep
Antonyms: recede, drain, dry up, abate
Interjection
Used to express surprise, agreement, hesitation, or to introduce a remark.
Example: "Well, I never!" or "Well, let's see."
Synonyms: (Context-dependent, e.g., "indeed," "alright," "okay")
Antonyms: (None directly applicable)
Examples of Use
Books:
"All is well that ends well." (William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well, c. 1603)
Newspapers:
"The economy is projected to perform well in the third quarter, buoyed by increased consumer spending." (The Financial Times)
Online Publications:
"Understanding how to communicate well is crucial for effective leadership in any industry." (Harvard Business Review Online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"Are you feeling well today, dear?" (Dialogue in a classic film, It's a Wonderful Life, 1946)
"Tears began to well up in her eyes as the final notes of the song faded." (Descriptive narration in a documentary, "The Power of Music,")
"I hope this episode finds you all doing well wherever you are." (Opening remarks on a popular podcast, "The Daily Dose of Positivity,’’)
General Public Discourse:
"She speaks English very well."
"I don't feel too well; I think I'm coming down with something."
"The old well in the village square still provides fresh water."
"Well, what do you think we should do next?"
10 Quotes Using Well
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." (Albert Einstein)
"Well done is better than well said." (Benjamin Franklin)
"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." (Robert Louis Stevenson)
"God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well." (Voltaire)
"It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it." (Robert E. Lee)
"If you want a thing done well, do it yourself." (Napoleon Bonaparte)
"Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out." (Václav Havel)
"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." (Virginia Woolf)
"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well." (Josh Billings)
Etymology
The word "well" is incredibly versatile in English, and its etymology actually splits into a couple of distinct paths, depending on which "well" you're talking about!
1. "Well" as in good, healthy, or done skillfully (Adverb/Adjective):
This is the most common use. It comes from the Old English word "wel" or "wel-," which already meant "in a good way," "abundantly," "properly," or "with good reason."
Tracing further back, this "wel" is believed to derive from a **Proto-Germanic root "wela-" or "wala-," which literally meant "as wished" or "as desired." This hints at a very old connection to the idea of something being favorable or satisfactory. It's even connected to the word "will" (as in desire or choice) from an even older Proto-Indo-European root.
So, the first known use of this "well" in English (in its Old English form "wel") was before 900 AD. Its original meaning was consistent with "in a good or satisfactory manner," "to a good degree," or "in good health." This core meaning has remained remarkably stable throughout centuries.
2. "Well" as in a hole for water (Noun) / "Well" as in water rising (Verb):
This "well" has a different origin. It comes from the Old English word "wiellan" (verb) or "wielle" (noun).
The verb "wiellan" meant "to boil," "to bubble up," or "to spring (as water from the earth)." This is related to the idea of water surging or gushing.
The noun "wielle" referred to a "spring of water," "fountain," or a "hole dug for water."
These Old English words likely came from a *Proto-Germanic root "wellanan" meaning "to roll" or "to boil," describing the movement of water.
So, the first known use of the noun "well" (meaning a source of water) and the verb "well" (meaning to spring forth) in English was also before 900 AD. Their original meaning was directly related to water flowing or emerging from the earth.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Well
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "well":
As well (also, in addition)
As well as (in addition to)
All's well that ends well
Leave well enough alone (to avoid changing something that is already satisfactory)
Do well (to succeed; to fare well)
Sleep well
Might as well (used to suggest doing something when there is no good reason not to)
Well and truly (completely, definitively)
Speak ill of no one, but well of everyone (a proverb, often simplified)
Well-to-do (prosperous, wealthy)
Well-oiled machine (something functioning very smoothly and efficiently)
Out of the well (original, implying escaping a difficult situation, like "out of the woods")
Well-put (said clearly and effectively)
Well beyond (far past a certain point or degree)
Know full well (to be completely aware of something)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of well from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.