noun
well-being
wel-BEE-ing
Well-being (noun) means the state of being comfortable, healthy and content in body and mind. Example: “Regular exercise improves both physical and mental well-being.”
noun
1
The state of being comfortable, healthy and content in body and mind.
"Regular exercise improves both physical and mental well-being."
"The policy is designed to protect the well-being of staff."
2
In economics and policy, a broad measure of how good people's lives are, taking in income, health, security and satisfaction rather than output alone.
"The country now publishes national well-being statistics alongside GDP."
How to use well-being
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing healthy, comfortable and happy.
When to use it
Neutral; heavily used in health, HR and policy writing.
Memory tip
It is an uncountable noun — there is no plural, so avoid 'well-beings'.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
mental well-being
physical well-being
sense of well-being
health and well-being
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Regular exercise improves both physical and mental _____.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for well-being
See all rhymes for well-being →Frequently asked questions
Is it well-being, wellbeing or well being?
All three appear in print. Well-being with a hyphen is the safest choice and dominates American style guides; wellbeing as one word is now very common in British and Australian writing. Two separate words is generally treated as an error.
What is the difference between well-being and wellness?
Well-being describes the state of being well — how good your life actually is. Wellness usually refers to the active pursuit of health through diet, exercise and self-care, and carries commercial associations with the wellness industry. Well-being is broader and includes things you do not control, such as income and relationships.
What are the main types of well-being?
Most frameworks divide it into physical, mental or emotional, social, and financial well-being, with some adding a sense of purpose. They are treated separately because a person can be thriving in one and struggling in another.
What is the meaning of well-being?
"well-being" (noun) means the state of being comfortable, healthy and content in body and mind.
