adverb
    
    /ˈwɛl/  better /ˈbɛtɚ/; best /ˈbɛst/
    
    in a successful way
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    in a skillful way
    
    
    
    
    
    in a good, proper, or positive way
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    in a kind, friendly, or generous way
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    completely or fully
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    to a great degree or extent
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    a - used for emphasis to say that something is or is not proper, appropriate, etc.
    
    
    
    usually used with can, could, may, or might
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    very possibly - usually used with could, may, or might
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    without doubt or question
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    a
    
    To live well is to live in the comfortable and enjoyable way of people who have a lot of money, possessions, etc.
    
    
    
    b
    
    To marry well is to marry someone who has high social status, wealth, etc.
    
    
    
    as well
    
    as well (as) :in addition to someone or something else
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    a - used in phrases like might as well and may as well to say that something should be done or accepted because it cannot be avoided or because there is no good reason not to do it
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    b - used to say that something else could have been done with the same result
    
    
    
    in the same way
    
    
    
    adjective
    
    better; best
    
    in good health :healthy
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    not used before a noun :in a good or satisfactory state
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    not used before a noun formal :wise, sensible, or reasonable
    
    
    
    
    
    alive and well
    
    
    
    all very well
    
    or all well and good - used to say that something may seem proper, good, or reasonable by itself but that there are other things that also have to be considered
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    just as well
    
    
    
    very well
    
    
    
    interjection
    
    used to show that you are unsure about something you are saying
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    used to show that you accept something even though you are not happy about it
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    used when you are trying to persuade someone or to make someone feel less upset, worried, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
    used when you are saying in a mild way that you disapprove of or disagree with something
    
    
    
    
    
    used to show that you are waiting for someone to say or do something
    
    
    
    
    
    used to say that something has ended or to make a final statement about something
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    used to begin a story or explanation or to continue one that was interrupted
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    used to express happiness or relief
    
    
    
    
    
    used to express surprise or annoyance
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    used when you want to correct a previous statement
    
    
    
    noun
    
    plural wells
    
    [count] a deep hole made in the ground through which water can be removed - see also artesian well, wishing well
    
    oil well - see also inkwell, stairwell
    
    verb
    
    wells; welled; welling
    
    [no obj] of a liquid :to rise to a surface and flow out - usually + up