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Book Glossary

well

Dictionary definition · well

noun

  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"
  4. an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)

verb

  1. come up, as of a liquid"Tears well in her eyes"

adjective

  1. in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury"appears to be entirely well"
  2. resulting favorably"it's a good thing that I wasn't there"
  3. wise or advantageous and hence advisable"it would be well to start early"

adverb

  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"
  2. thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form"The problem is well understood"
  3. indicating high probability; in all likelihood"I might well do it"
  4. (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully"a book well worth reading"

Similar words

goodswellfountainheadwellspringeasily

Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).