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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | wel |
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well1 S1 W1
comparative better superlative best
comparative better superlative best1 in a successful or satisfactory way : Did you sleep well? James reads quite well for his age. All the team played very well today. Simon doesn't work well under pressure. The festival was very well organized.
satisfactorily
Did you sleep well?James reads quite well for his age.All the team played very well today.Simon doesn't work well under pressure.The festival was very well organized.2 in a thorough way : Mix the flour and butter well. I know Birmingham quite well.
thoroughly
Mix the flour and butter well.I know Birmingham quite well.3
a lot
a) a lot, or to a great degree
well before/after/above/below etc Stand well back from the bonfire. It was well after 12 o'clock when they arrived. The village is well below sea level.
Stand well back from the bonfire.It was well after 12 o'clock when they arrived.The village is well below sea level.b) [+ adjective] British English informal very : That was well funny!
That was well funny!4
do well
a) to be successful, especially in work or business : He's doing very well at college.
He's doing very well at college.b) if someone who has been ill is doing well, they are becoming healthy again : He had the operation yesterday, and he's doing very well.
He had the operation yesterday, and he's doing very well.5 in addition to something or someone else : Why don't you come along as well? ➔ see usage note also
as well
Why don't you come along as well?6 in addition to something or someone else : They own a house in France as well as a villa in Spain.
as well as something/somebody
They own a house in France as well as a villa in Spain. as well as doing something The organization gives help and support to people in need, as well as raising money for local charities.
The organization gives help and support to people in need, as well as raising money for local charities.7 used to say that something is likely to happen or is likely to be true : What you say may well be true. You could try the drugstore, but it might well be closed by now.
may/might/could well
What you say may well be true.You could try the drugstore, but it might well be closed by now.8
may/might/could (just) as well
a) informal used when you do not particularly want to do something but you decide you should do it : I suppose we may as well get started.
I suppose we may as well get started.b) used to mean that another course of action would have an equally good result : The taxi was so slow we might just as well have gone on the bus.
The taxi was so slow we might just as well have gone on the bus.9 used to say that you cannot do something because it would be unacceptable : I can't very well tell him we don't want him at the party!
can't very well (do something)
I can't very well tell him we don't want him at the party!10 used to say that someone does know something even though they are behaving as if they do not : You know full well what I mean.
know full/perfectly well
You know full well what I mean.11 to talk about someone in an approving way or to have a favourable opinion of them : Sue has always spoken well of you.
speak/think well of somebody
Sue has always spoken well of you.12 used to praise someone when you think they have done something very well
well done!/well played!
spoken13 used to say that you agree with what someone has just said, or that you admire them for saying it
well said!
spoken14
be well away
British English informala) to be making good progress : If we can get that grant from the local authority, we'll be well away.
If we can get that grant from the local authority, we'll be well away.b) to be very drunk
15 to have a friendly relationship with someone, especially someone important : She's very well in with members of the management committee.
be well in with somebody
informalShe's very well in with members of the management committee.16 to be lucky to no longer be involved in a particular situation
be well out of something
British English spoken17 to know a lot about a particular subject : Geoff's always been well up on the lnternet.
be well up in/on something
informal especially British EnglishGeoff's always been well up on the lnternet.18 used to say that there is a good reason for someone's feelings or reactions : Marilyn looked guilty, as well she might.
as well somebody might/may
formalMarilyn looked guilty, as well she might.GRAMMAR: GRAMMAR:
well, goodGood is an adjective • a good attempt • Her English is very good.!! Good is not used as an adverb in standard English. Use well • He speaks English extremely well. The comparative form of both good and well is better • His first book was better. (adj) • We'll play better next time. (adv) The superlative form of both good and well is best • Who is the best singer? (adj) • You can use brown or white sugar, but brown works best. (adv)
GRAMMAR: well, goodGood is an adjective • a good attempt • Her English is very good.!! Good is not used as an adverb in standard English. Use well • He speaks English extremely well. The comparative form of both good and well is better • His first book was better. (adj) • We'll play better next time. (adv) The superlative form of both good and well is best • Who is the best singer? (adj) • You can use brown or white sugar, but brown works best. (adv)
