Well - Definition

adv 1: (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or
satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a
nonstandard dialectal variant for `well'); "the children
behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party went well";
"he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis"; "a well-seasoned
dish"; "a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty
good" [syn: well, good] [ant: badly, ill,
poorly]
2: thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining
form; "The problem is well understood"; "she was well
informed"; "shake well before using"; "in order to avoid food
poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked"; "well-done beef",
"well-satisfied customers"; "well-educated"
3: indicating high probability; in all likelihood; "I might well
do it"; "a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster";
"you may well need your umbrella"; "he could equally well be
trying to deceive us" [syn: well, easily]
4: (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully;
"a book well worth reading"; "was well aware of the
difficulties ahead"; "suspected only too well what might be
going on"
5: to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree; "the project
was well underway"; "the fetus has well developed organs";
"his father was well pleased with his grades"
6: favorably; with approval; "their neighbors spoke well of
them"; "he thought well of the book" [ant: badly, ill]
7: to a great extent or degree; "I'm afraid the film was well
over budget"; "painting the room white made it seem
considerably (or substantially) larger"; "the house has
fallen considerably in value"; "the price went up
substantially" [syn: well, considerably, substantially]
8: with great or especially intimate knowledge; "we knew them
well" [syn: well, intimately]
9: with prudence or propriety; "You would do well to say nothing
more"; "could not well refuse"
10: with skill or in a pleasing manner; "she dances well"; "he
writes well" [ant: badly]
11: in a manner affording benefit or advantage; "she married
well"; "The children were settled advantageously in Seattle"
[syn: well, advantageously] [ant: badly,
disadvantageously]
12: in financial comfort; "They live well"; "she has been able
to live comfortably since her husband died" [syn: well,
comfortably]
13: without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor;
"took the joke well"; "took the tragic news well" [ant:
badly]
adj 1: in good health especially after having suffered illness
or injury; "appears to be entirely well"; "the wound is
nearly well"; "a well man"; "I think I'm well; at least I
feel well" [ant: ill, sick]
2: resulting favorably; "it's a good thing that I wasn't there";
"it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw
you"; "all's well that ends well" [syn: good, well(p)]
3: wise or advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be well
to start early"
n 1: a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil
or gas or brine
2: a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
3: an abundant source; "she was a well of information" [syn:
well, wellspring, fountainhead]
4: an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a
stairway)
5: an enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding
something as e.g. fish or a plane's landing gear or for
protecting something as e.g. a ship's pumps
v 1: come up, as of a liquid; "Tears well in her eyes"; "the
currents well up" [syn: well, swell]