[wel] 
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. |
If things are going tolerably well, leave them alone; your efforts to improve the situation may make things worse.
| 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. |
leave well enough alone
Also, let well enough alone. Do not try to change something lest you make it worse. For example, This recipe has turned out fine in the past, so leave well enough alone. The idea behind this expression dates from ancient Greek times, specifically Aesop's fable about a fox who refused a hedgehog's offer to take out its ticks lest, by removing those that are full, other hungry ones will replace them. Put as let well alone from the early 1700s, it was first recorded as let well enough alone in 1827. Also see let sleeping dogs lie.