adv

well

WEHL

adv

In a good, skillful, or satisfactory way.

"She plays the piano well."

"The interview went well, I think."

adj

In good health.

"He hasn't been well since he caught that cold."

intj

Used at the start of a sentence to pause, soften a response, or show hesitation.

"Well, I suppose we could try it your way."

"Well, that didn't go as planned."

noun

A deep hole dug or drilled into the ground to reach water, oil, or gas.

"The village still gets its drinking water from an old stone well."

How to Use Well

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDepending on context: skillfully/satisfactorily (adverb), healthy (adjective), a conversational filler word, or a hole dug for water/oil.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the adverb "well" (describes an action: "she sings well") with the adjective "good" (describes a noun: "she is a good singer").

Common pairings

do well well done feel well oil well wishing well

Word Forms

better comparative, better comparative, weller comparative, welled past tense, wells plural, wells singular, best superlative, best superlative, wellest superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She plays the piano _____.

Etymology

From Old English wel, meaning "abundantly, fully, in a desired way" — ultimately from a root meaning "to wish" or "desire," the same root behind the word "will."

Synonyms

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so see look as if

Related Words

date also see so look deem lo thus

Rhymes for well

ell hell fell bell cell sell tell dell yell pell kell Nell

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