well

well1 [ wel ] (comparative bet|ter [ `betər ] ; superlative best [ best ] ) adverb ***

1. ) in a skillful or effective way:

She speaks Japanese well.

very/rather/fairly/quite well: He plays the piano very well for someone of his age.

a ) in a complete or thorough way:

Shake the can well before opening.

I don't know these people very well.

b ) in a way that is satisfactory:

The boys were not behaving very well.

pretty well (=fairly well): I can see pretty well without my glasses.

2. ) very or very much: used for emphasizing what you are saying:

well aware: Rostov was well aware of the scandal he was creating.

well worth: A trip to the new museum is well worth the effort.

a ) used for emphasizing that a period of time or a distance is long:

well after/before: Pete left the party well before you got there.

well ahead/behind: Paula finished the race well ahead of the other runners.

as well

in addition to something or someone else:

I'd like a cup of coffee, and a glass of water as well.

as well as: I need to go to the bookstore as well as the bank.

=> ALSO

be doing well

to be getting better after an illness:

He seems to be doing well after his operation.

be doing well for yourself

to be successful in life:

Judging by their address, they were doing very well for themselves.

cannot/can't very well

used for saying that it would not be wise or sensible to do something:

We can't very well tell them now.

do well by someone

to treat someone in a fair or generous way:

The president called on companies to do well by their employees.

know full/perfectly well

to know something while pretending not to:

You know full well what I am talking about.

may/might (just) as well do something INFORMAL

used for saying that it might be a good idea to do something although it is not essential:

We might as well wait a little longer for them.

mean well

if someone means well, they intend to be kind and helpful but often upset people without wanting to:

I know he means well, but he's just making things worse.

speak well of

to praise someone or something:

Mr. Carter speaks very well of you.

well done

used for giving someone praise when they do something well:

Well done, Julia!

well

well 2 [ wel ] interjection ***

▸ 1 when replying

▸ 2 when asking something

▸ 3 after a pause

▸ 4 expressing emotion

▸ 5 for ending talk

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) used for introducing a statement, especially one you make as a reply:

Well, I agree with you about that.

Well, I haven't seen you for a long time.

a ) used for replying to someone when you think that there is something slightly wrong with what they have said:

Well, I wouldn't have put it quite like that.

b ) used for replying to someone when they are expecting you to say yes, but the answer is no :

So you told him what you thought of his idea, then? Well, not exactly.

2. ) used for asking a question or for asking for an explanation:

Well, what did they say?

Well, who's responsible for this mess?

3. ) used for continuing to tell something after a pause:

Well, as I was saying...

a ) used when telling a story for introducing the words that you or someone else has said:

So then she says well pack your things and go!

4. ) used for expressing a feeling such as doubt, surprise, or anger:

Well, they have a lot of nerve!

Well, I don't know about that.

5. ) used for ending a discussion or talk:

Well, that's all for now.

oh well

used for accepting a bad situation or disappointment:

Oh well, I suppose I can borrow the money.

very well

used for agreeing to something:

Very well, I'll come with you.

well, well

used for expressing surprise:

Well, well, I didn't think I'd see you here.

well

well 3 [ wel ] (comparative bet|ter [ `betər ] ; superlative best [ best ] ) adjective **

if you are well or you are feeling well, your health is good:

How are you? Very well, thank you.

I'm not feeling very well today.

You don't look too well.

a. get well (soon) used for giving good wishes to someone who is sick

all is well

used for saying that a situation or arrangement is satisfactory:

I hope all is well back home.

all's well that ends well SPOKEN

used for saying that a situation that did not start in a good way has ended in a way that is satisfactory or pleasing:

It was a difficult time, but all's well that ends well.

just as well

helpful or convenient in the situation that exists:

It's just as well we have neighbors who don't mind noise.

leave/let well (enough) alone

to avoid trying to improve or change something that is satisfactory:

Sometimes it's better to just leave well alone.

well

well 4 [ wel ] noun count **

a deep hole that is dug in the ground to provide a supply of water:

We used to get our water from a well.

a. a deep hole dug in the ground where there is a supply of oil or gas

well

well 5 [ wel ] or ,well `up verb intransitive

1. ) if feelings well up inside you, they become very strong:

A sense of hurt and outrage welled up inside him.

2. ) if a liquid wells or wells up, it comes to the surface and begins to flow:

With tears welling in his eyes, Palmer walked away.