well
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
How often you will meet it
Rank 78 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 306,961 times across 175,160 chapters — 0.146% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 100 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
adverb
- (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”) also: good the children behaved wella task well done
- thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form The problem is well understoodshe was well informed
- indicating high probability; in all likelihood also: easily I might well do ita mistake that could easily have ended in disaster
- (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully a book well worth readingwas well aware of the difficulties ahead
- to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree the project was well underwaythe fetus has well developed organs
- favorably; with approval their neighbors spoke well of themhe thought well of the book
well in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Books are well written, or badly written.
The Picture of Dorian Gray · Oscar Wilde · Chapter 1
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I knew quite well that he was expecting me to continue, and I did so.
The Betrayal · E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim · Chapter 1
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The girl, watching the big chap's unconscious face, knew well what was in his mind.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1
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Gloria's thought of the two as the composite guardian of her important young peace and happiness--as well as money.
Gloria and Treeless Street · Annie Hamilton Donnell · Chapter 1
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Shade was getting well fast, and with troubled eyes Arch saw him sitting up in a chair and cleaning his Winchester.
The Heart of the Hills · John, Jr. Fox · Chapter 1