adverb, adjective, comparative bet⋅ter, superlative best, interjection, noun | 1. | in a good or satisfactory manner: Business is going well. |
| 2. | thoroughly, carefully, or soundly: to shake well before using; listen well. |
| 3. | in a moral or proper manner: to behave well. |
| 4. | commendably, meritoriously, or excellently: a difficult task well done. |
| 5. | with propriety, justice, or reason: I could not well refuse. |
| 6. | adequately or sufficiently: Think well before you act. |
| 7. | to a considerable extent or degree: a sum well over the amount agreed upon. |
| 8. | with great or intimate knowledge: to know a person well. |
| 9. | certainly; without doubt: I anger easily, as you well know. |
| 10. | with good nature; without rancor: He took the joke well. |
| 11. | in good health; sound in body and mind: Are you well? He is not a well man. |
| 12. | satisfactory, pleasing, or good: All is well with us. |
| 13. | proper, fitting, or gratifying: It is well that you didn't go. |
| 14. | in a satisfactory position; well-off: I am very well as I am. |
| 15. | (used to express surprise, reproof, etc.): Well! There's no need to shout. |
| 16. | (used to introduce a sentence, resume a conversation, etc.): Well, who would have thought he could do it? |
| 17. | well-being; good fortune; success: to wish well to someone. |
| 18. | as well,
|
| 19. | as well as, as much or as truly as; equally as: Joan is witty as well as intelligent. |
| 20. | leave well enough alone, avoid changing something that is satisfactory. |

well 2 (wěl) adv. bet·ter (bět'ər), best (běst)
[Middle English wel, from Old English; see wel-1 in Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: English speakers have used well both as an adjective and as an adverb since Old English times. When applied to people, the adjective well usually refers to a state of health. Like similar adjectives, such as ill and faint, well in this use is normally restricted to the predicate, as in He hasn't been well lately. Well does see occasional use before a noun, as in Benjamin Franklin's "Poor Dick eats like a well man, and drinks like a sick." It also appears in compound adjectives like well-baby, which is well known to pediatricians and recent parents. Good, on the other hand, has a much wider range of senses, including "attractive," as in He looks good, and "competent," as in She's pretty good for a beginner, as well as "healthy." See Usage Note at good. |
| well (wěl) Pronunciation Key
A deep hole or shaft sunk into the Earth to tap a liquid or gaseous substance such as water, oil, gas, or brine. If the substance is not under sufficient pressure to flow freely from the well, it must be pumped or raised mechanically to the surface. Water or pressurized gas is sometimes pumped into a nonproducing oil well to push petroleum resources out of underground reservoirs. See also artesian well. |
as well
In addition, besides, also. For example, Mary is going to Italy and to France as well, or A fine conductor, he plays the violin as well. [1300s]
With an equal or similar result, as in Since he can't get there in time, he might as well stay at home, or It's just as well that you came today, since Harry is here, too. [1400s]