well
gb/wˈɛl/ us/wˈɛl/
A1
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A1
property
1
In a good or satisfactory way
In a good or right way.
Usage pattern:
to [verb] well
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'good' (adjective) with 'well' (adverb), saying 'She sings good' instead of 'She sings well'.
Synonyms
properly (Emphasizes doing something in a correct or acceptable way.)
Antonyms
badly (Indicates doing something in a poor or unsatisfactory way.)
Collocations
do well
|work well
|perform well
|fit well
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She speaks English very well.
- The team played well despite the rain.
- He did well on the exam.
- This phone works well even after years of use.
Learner examples
- She sings well.
- The child reads well.
- He runs well.
- They cook well.
adjective
A1
state
2
In good health
Feeling healthy and not sick.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is well
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'well' instead of 'good' when describing things, e.g., 'The food is well' instead of 'The food is good'.
Synonyms
healthy (Focuses on physical health and condition.)
Antonyms
ill (Means being sick or unhealthy.)
Collocations
feel well
|look well
|get well
Themes
health
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I hope you are well after your trip.
- She’s not feeling well today.
- He looks well for his age.
- Are you well enough to travel?
Learner examples
- I am well.
- She feels well today.
- He is not well.
- We are well.
interjection
A2
action
3
Used to introduce a reaction or comment
A word used before speaking to show surprise, pause, or change topic.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'well' at the start of sentences in formal writing where it can sound informal.
Synonyms
so (Similar in introducing a statement, but less about surprise.)
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Well, I didn’t expect to see you here!
- Well, let’s get started.
- Well, that’s interesting news.
Learner examples
- Well, I am happy to see you.
- Well, let's go now.
- Well, that is strange.
Noun
B1
entity
4
A deep hole to get water
A deep hole in the ground for getting water or oil.
Synonyms
spring (A natural source of water, not man-made.)
Collocations
water well
|oil well
|dig a well
Themes
environment
|technology
|daily_life
|nature
Examples
- The villagers built a new well for fresh water.
- The oil well produced thousands of barrels per day.
- They drew water from the old stone well.
Learner examples
- The farm has a water well.
- They dig a new well.
- We get water from the well.
Verb
B2
action
5
To rise or flow up and out
To come up to the surface and flow out.
Usage pattern:
[liquid/emotion] wells up
Synonyms
flow (More general movement of liquid; not necessarily upward.)
Collocations
tears well up
|anger wells up
Themes
nature
|emotions
Examples
- Tears welled up in her eyes.
- Anger welled up inside him.
- Blood welled from the wound.
Learner examples
- Tears well up in my eyes.
- Water wells up from the ground.
- Sadness wells up in her heart.
Grammar
Dictionary form
well
IPA
GB/wˈɛl/
US/wˈɛl/
Syllables & stress
well (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (well)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: well
- Comparative: better
- Superlative: best
Noun
- Base: well
- Plural: well, wells
Verb
- Base: well
- 3rd Person Singular: wells
- Present Participle: welling
- Past: welled
Word family
Forms
wells
noun
welling
verb
welled
verb
better
adjective
best
adjective
Core family
good
adjective A1
Related words
wellness
noun B2
Highlights
- Irregular comparative: better Adjective
- Irregular superlative: best Adjective
Expressions
as well
1/ˈæz wˈɛl/
fixed phrase
In addition; also
Also; in addition to what was said before.
Examples
- She speaks French and Spanish as well.
- I’ll have some coffee and cake as well.
get well soon
1/ɡˈɛt wˈɛl sˈun/
fixed phrase
Wish for quick recovery from illness
A kind thing to say to someone who is sick, meaning you hope they feel better soon.
Examples
- I hope you feel better—get well soon!
- She sent me a card saying ‘Get Well Soon’.
just as well
1/d͡ʒˈʌst ˈæz wˈɛl/
fixed phrase
Fortunately under the circumstances
It is good that something happened the way it did.
Examples
- It’s just as well we brought umbrellas—it’s pouring now.
- Just as well you called ahead; they were closed.
well done
1/wˈɛl dˈʌn/
fixed phrase
Successfully completed or cooked thoroughly
Good job; or cooked completely (for meat).
Examples
- Well done on your presentation!
- I’d like my steak well done, please.
well off
1/wˈɛl ˈɔf/
fixed phrase
Having plenty of money or resources
Having a lot of money; rich enough to live comfortably.
Examples
- They are quite well off and travel often.
- She came from a well-off family.