26984 words

wells

22 definitions ā€¢ 67 examples
1
in a good way, to a high or satisfactory standard:

Examples:

The documentary presented both sides of the problem very well.
The concert was advertised well enough but ticket sales were poor.
a well-cut suit
a well-paid job
well put Her points were well put (= expressed in a good or intelligent way).
well taken His point about the need to reduce waste was well taken (= it was accepted as a good criticism).
well spent They took two hours to discuss the plans and considered it time well spent (= it had been a useful discussion).
as well as I can't do it as well as Marie can.
2
very much, to a great degree, or completely:

Examples:

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.
well enough He plays the piano well enough (= to a satisfactory standard).
3
used to emphasize some prepositions:

Examples:

well above/below The results are well above/below what we expected.
well away from Keep well away from the edge of the cliff.
It cost well over Ā£100.
Stand well clear of the doors!
4
used to emphasize some adjectives:

Examples:

well aware The police are well aware of the situation.
well worth The museum is well worth a visit.
leave something well alone Some machines look more like cheap, plastic toys - leave these well alone.
5
very:

Examples:

well good The film was well good.
well hard Watch out for those two - they're well hard (= strong and willing to use violence).
6
with good reason:

Examples:

She might well be the best person to ask.
can't very well I can't very well (= it would not be acceptable to) refuse their generous offer.
7
in addition (to):

Examples:

Invite Emily - and Scott as well.
8
healthy; not ill:

Examples:

He hasn't been very well lately.
look well When she came home from school she really didn't look well.
get well I'm sorry you're ill - I hope you get well soon.
They sent a get well card.
9
used to introduce something you are going to say, often to show surprise, doubt, slight disagreement, or anger, or to continue a story:

Examples:

Well, what shall we do now?
Well now/then, how are we going to arrange things?
"Who was that?" "Well, I can't remember her name."
"He's decided to give up his job and move to Seattle with her." "Well, well - that's what love does for you."
Well, really, that was thoughtless of him!
Well? What did you do next?
Well, after that we went camping in the mountains.
oh well Well/Oh well, it doesn't matter - I can always buy another one.
very well Very well, if you insist I'll meet him next week.
10
a deep hole in the ground from which you can get water, oil, or gas
11
(of liquid) to appear on the surface of something or come slowly out from somewhere:

Examples:

well (up) out of Dirty water welled (up) out of the damaged pipe.
well up As she read the letter tears welled up in her eyes.
figurative Conflicting emotions welled up in his heart.
12

Examples:

I donā€™t feel well.
I feel better now.
13
in a good way; to a high or satisfactory standard:

Examples:

The car was well designed.
She manages people very well.
I canā€™t sing as well as Jessica (= She sings better).
His point about reducing waste is well taken (= accepted as a fair criticism).
The two hours of discussion was time well spent (= it was a useful discussion).
I want to congratulate you on a job well done.
14
to a great degree; much or completely:

Examples:

I know her well.
Put in two eggs and stir well.
He sent away for tickets well in advance (= very early).
I knew perfectly well what time it was.
I knew her pretty well when I lived in Iowa City.
15
Well is used with some prepositions and adverbs for emphasis:

Examples:

Keep the children well away from the edge of the pool.
It costs well over $100.
16
Well is used with a few adjectives for emphasis:

Examples:

The museum is well worth a visit.
17
with good reason:

Examples:

I couldnā€™t very well say no.
18
a deep hole in the ground from which water, oil, or gas can be obtained:

Examples:

an oil well
well water
19
(of a liquid) to come to the surface or into view:

Examples:

As she read the letter, tears welled in her eyes.
fig. He could feel the anger well up inside him.
20
used to introduce something you are about to say, or to connect one statement with the next, or to show doubt or disagreement, annoyance, surprise, or understanding:

Examples:

Well, what happened next?
He started yelling at me, and well, I was scared at first.
Well, what are you going to do now that youā€™ve lost your job?
Oh well, thereā€™s not much we can do about it now.
21
a deep hole in the ground from which you can get water:

Examples:

These two tributaries of the Yellowstone River supply water for farms and wells in two states.
It is an 8-mile round trip to fetch clean water from a well.
22
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