well : Idioms & Phrases

• noun a shaft for ventilation
  air shaft.
  

WordNet

• noun a well drilled through impermeable strata into strata that receive water from a higher altitude so there is pressure to force the water to flow upward
  artesian well.
  

WordNet

• . See under Artesian, and Driven.

Webster 1913

• noun a well drilled through impermeable strata into strata that receive water from a higher altitude so there is pressure to force the water to flow upward
  artesian well.
  

WordNet

• wells made by boring into the earth till the instrument reaches water, which, from internal pressure, flows spontaneously like a fountain. They are usually of small diameter and often of great depth.

Webster 1913

• adverb in addition
  also; too; besides; likewise.
  
  • he has a Mercedes, too

WordNet

• also; too; besides. Addison.

Webster 1913

• and also; together with; not less than; one as much as the other; as, a sickness long, as well as severe; London is the largest city in England, as well as the capital.
• equally with, no less than. "I have understanding as well as you." Job xii. 3.

Webster 1913

• verb be healthy; feel good
  
  • She has not been well lately

WordNet

• noun (nautical) a well where seepage drains to be pumped away
  

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• verb act in one's own or everybody's best interest
  had best.
  
  • You will do well to arrive on time tomorrow!

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• verb treat with respect and consideration
  
  • children should do well by their parents

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• noun a well made by driving a tube into the earth to a stratum that bears water
  driven well.
  

WordNet

• a well made by driving a tube into the earth to an aqueous stratum; called also drive well.

Webster 1913

• noun state of perfection; the utmost degree
  
  • they polished the furniture to a fare-thee-well

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• noun a well that yields or has yielded natural gas
  

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• a deep boring, from which natural gas is discharged. Raymond.

Webster 1913

• noun United States actor and filmmaker (1915-1985)
  Welles; George Orson Welles.
  

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• noun United States biologist who discovered how hereditary characteristics are transmitted by genes (1903-1989)
  George Beadle; Beadle.
  

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• verb improve in health
  get over; bounce back.
  
  • He got well fast

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• noun a card expressing get-well wishes
  

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• noun prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)
  Wells; H. G. Wells.
  

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• adjective satellite heartily friendly and congenial
  comradely; hail-fellow.
  

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• noun prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)
  Wells; H. G. Wells.
  

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• (Condensing Engines), a receptacle for the hot water drawn from the condenser by the air pump. This water is returned to the boiler, being drawn from the hot well by the feed pump.

Webster 1913

• noun an idle worthless person
  no-account; goldbrick; good-for-naught; good-for-nothing; goof-off.
  

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• noun a well that yields or has yielded oil
  oiler.
  

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• noun United States actor and filmmaker (1915-1985)
  Welles; George Orson Welles.
  

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• noun an enclosure in the middle of a ship's hold that protects the ship's pumps
  

WordNet

• . (Naut.) See Well.
• . (Naut.) See Well, 5 (a), above.

Webster 1913

• verb promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to
  serve.
  
  • Art serves commerce
  • Their interests are served
  • The lake serves recreation
  • The President's wisdom has served the country well

WordNet

• noun an oil well whose production has declined to less than ten barrels a day
  stripper.
  

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• to be in good condition.

Webster 1913

• to be praised. Obs.

Webster 1913

• to make no errors; to act shrewdly.

Webster 1913

• (Naut.), to sail close to the wind; said of a vessel.

Webster 1913

• to commend; to be favorable to.

Webster 1913

• to hold in esteem; to esteem highly.

Webster 1913

• noun a well made by driving a tube into the earth to a stratum that bears water
  driven well.
  

WordNet

• adverb quite well
  first-rate.
  
  • she doesn't feel first-rate today
• adverb an expression of agreement normally occurring at the beginning of a sentence
  alright; OK; all right; fine.
  

WordNet

• noun a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine
  
• noun a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
  
• noun an abundant source
  wellspring; fountainhead.
  
  • she was a well of information
• noun an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)
  
• noun an enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding something as e.g. fish or a plane's landing gear or for protecting something as e.g. a ship's pumps
  
• verb come up, as of a liquid
  swell.
  
  • Tears well in her eyes
  • the currents well up
• adjective in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury; at least I feel well"
  
  • appears to be entirely well
  • the wound is nearly well
  • a well man
  • I think I'm well
• adjective satellite resulting favorably
  good.
  
  • it's a good thing that I wasn't there
  • it is good that you stayed
  • it is well that no one saw you
  • all's well that ends well
• adjective satellite wise or advantageous and hence advisable
  
  • it would be well to start early
• 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')
  good.
  
  • the children behaved well
  • a task well done
  • the party went well
  • he slept well
  • a well-argued thesis
  • a well-seasoned dish
  • a well-planned party
  • the baby can walk pretty good
• adverb thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form
  
  • The problem is well understood
  • she was well informed
  • shake well before using
  • in order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked
  • well-done beef", "well-satisfied customers
  • well-educated
• adverb indicating high probability; in all likelihood
  easily.
  
  • I might well do it
  • a mistake that could easily have ended in disaster
  • you may well need your umbrella
  • he could equally well be trying to deceive us
• adverb (used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully
  
  • a book well worth reading
  • was well aware of the difficulties ahead
  • suspected only too well what might be going on
• adverb to a suitable or appropriate extent or degree
  
  • the project was well underway
  • the fetus has well developed organs
  • his father was well pleased with his grades
• adverb favorably; with approval
  
  • their neighbors spoke well of them
  • he thought well of the book
• adverb to a great extent or degree
  substantially; considerably.
  
  • I'm afraid the film was well over budget
  • painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger
  • the house has fallen considerably in value
  • the price went up substantially
• adverb with great or especially intimate knowledge
  intimately.
  
  • we knew them well
• adverb with prudence or propriety
  
  • You would do well to say nothing more
  • could not well refuse
• adverb with skill or in a pleasing manner
  
  • she dances well
  • he writes well
• adverb in a manner affording benefit or advantage
  advantageously.
  
  • she married well
  • The children were settled advantageously in Seattle
• adverb in financial comfort
  comfortably.
  
  • They live well
  • she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died
• adverb without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor
  
  • took the joke well
  • took the tragic news well

WordNet

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite (usually of children) someone who behaves in a manner that the speaker believes is correct
  well behaved.
  
  • a well-behaved child

WordNet

• the art or process of boring an artesian well.

Webster 1913

• . (a) A drain or vent for water, somewhat like a well or pit, serving to discharge the water of wet land. (b) A drain conducting to a well or pit.

Webster 1913

• well or good in a moderate degree; so as to give satisfaction, or so as to require no alteration.

Webster 1913

• in good condition; especially, in good condition as to property or any advantages; thriving; prosperous.

Webster 1913

• verb flow freely and abundantly
  stream.
  
  • Tears streamed down her face

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• verb flow or run over (a limit or brim)
  run over; overflow; brim over; overrun.
  

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• noun a perforated tube driven into the ground to collect water from the surrounding area
  wellpoint.
  

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• . (a) A room where a well or spring is situated; especially, one built over a mineral spring. (b) (Naut.) A depression in the bottom of a boat, into which water may run, and whence it is thrown out with a scoop.

Webster 1913

• one who sinks or digs wells.

Webster 1913

• the art or process of sinking or digging wells.

Webster 1913

• (Arch.), a staircase having a wellhole (see Wellhole (b)), as distinguished from one which occupies the whole of the space left for it in the floor.

Webster 1913

• . Same as Sweep, n., 12.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite resulting from careful thought
  
  • the paper was well thought out

WordNet

• adjective satellite done or happening at the appropriate or proper time
  timely; well timed; seasonable.
  
  • a timely warning
  • with timely treatment the patient has a good chance of recovery
  • a seasonable time for discussion
  • the book's publication was well timed

WordNet

• well off; prosperous; used also adjectively. "The class well to do in the world." J. H. Newman.

Webster 1913

• in easy circumstances; well off; well to do. Shak.

Webster 1913

• verb come up (as of feelings and thoughts, or other ephemeral things)
  swell.
  
  • Strong emotions welled up
  • Smoke swelled from it

WordNet

• noun underground water that is held in the soil and in pervious rocks
  ground water; spring water.
  

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• the water that flows into a well from subterraneous springs; the water drawn from a well.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite free from psychological disorder
  well-adjusted.
  
  • a well-adjusted personality

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• adjective having the benefit of careful prior consideration or counsel
  advised.
  
  • a well-advised delay in carrying out the plan

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• adjective satellite having a full array of suitable equipment or furnishings
  well-appointed.
  
  • a well-appointed kitchen
  • a well-appointed apartment

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• adjective satellite in an optimal state of balance or equilibrium
  
  • a well-balanced wheel
• adjective satellite free from psychological disorder
  well-adjusted.
  
  • a well-adjusted personality

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• adjective satellite (usually of children) someone who behaves in a manner that the speaker believes is correct
  well behaved.
  
  • a well-behaved child

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• noun a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous
  eudaemonia; wellbeing; welfare; upbeat; eudaimonia.
  
  • the town was finally on the upbeat after our recent troubles

WordNet

Well"-be`ing noun

Definitions

1. The state or condition of being well; welfare; happiness; prosperity; as, virtue is essential to the well-being of men or of society.

Webster 1913

Well"-born` adjective

Definitions

1. Born of a noble or respect able family; not of mean birth.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite (of books) having a sturdy and attractive binding
  

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• adjective satellite having good branches
  

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• adjective satellite of good upbringing
  well-bred.
  

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Well"-bred` adjective

Definitions

1. Having good breeding; refined in manners; polite; cultivated.

   I am as well-bred as the earl's granddaughter. Thackera.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite well expressed and to the point
  happy.
  
  • a happy turn of phrase
  • a few well-chosen words

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• adjective satellite characterized by good organization and control
  
  • a well-conducted meeting

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• adjective satellite connected by blood or close acquaintance with people of wealth or social position
  
  • a well-connected Edinburgh family

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• adjective satellite having a clean and distinct outline as if precisely cut along the edges
  chiseled.
  
  • a finely chiseled nose
  • well-defined features
• adjective accurately stated or described
  clear.
  
  • a set of well-defined values

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• adjective satellite inclined to help or support; not antagonistic or hostile
  friendly; favorable.
  
  • a government friendly to our interests
  • an amicable agreement

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• adjective satellite (meat) cooked until there is no pink meat left inside
  

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• adjective satellite having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat
  well-dressed.
  

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• adjective satellite highly educated; having extensive information or understanding
  knowing; knowledgeable; lettered; learned; well-educated.
  
  • knowing instructors
  • a knowledgeable critic
  • a knowledgeable audience

WordNet

• adjective satellite (of a woman's body) having a large bosom and pleasing curves
  busty; sonsie; stacked; voluptuous; full-bosomed; bosomy; buxom; curvaceous; curvy; sonsy.
  
  • Hollywood seems full of curvaceous blondes
  • a curvy young woman in a tight dress

WordNet

• adjective satellite pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
  fine-looking; better-looking; well-favored; good-looking; handsome.
  
  • a fine-looking woman
  • a good-looking man
  • better-looking than her sister
  • very pretty but not so extraordinarily handsome"- Thackeray
  • our southern women are well-favored"- Lillian Hellman

WordNet

Well"-fa"vored adjective

Definitions

1. Handsome; wellformed; beautiful; pleasing to the eye.

   Rachel was beautiful and well-favored. Gen. xxix. 17.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
  fine-looking; better-looking; well-favored; good-looking; handsome.
  
  • a fine-looking woman
  • a good-looking man
  • better-looking than her sister
  • very pretty but not so extraordinarily handsome"- Thackeray
  • our southern women are well-favored"- Lillian Hellman

WordNet

• adjective satellite properly nourished
  well-fed.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
  prosperous; well-heeled; well-off; comfortable; well-fixed; well-situated; easy.
  
  • they were comfortable or even wealthy by some standards
  • easy living
  • a prosperous family
  • his family is well-situated financially
  • well-to-do members of the community

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• adjective conforming to the rules of grammar or usage accepted by native speakers
  grammatical.
  
  • spoke in grammatical sentences

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• adjective satellite having a full array of suitable equipment or furnishings
  well-appointed.
  
  • a well-appointed kitchen
  • a well-appointed apartment

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• adjective satellite based on sound reasoning or evidence
  tenable.
  
  • well-founded suspicions

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• adjective satellite having tasteful clothing and being scrupulously neat
  well-dressed.
  
• adjective satellite having your hair neatly brushed and combed
  

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• adjective satellite established as if settled into a groove or rut
  grooved.
  

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• adjective satellite logically valid
  sound; reasoned.
  
  • a sound argument

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• adjective satellite in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
  prosperous; well-heeled; well-off; comfortable; well-fixed; well-situated; easy.
  
  • they were comfortable or even wealthy by some standards
  • easy living
  • a prosperous family
  • his family is well-situated financially
  • well-to-do members of the community

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• adjective satellite possessing sound knowledge
  intelligent.
  
  • well-informed readers

WordNet

Well`-in*formed" adjective

Definitions

1. Correctly informed; provided with information; well furnished with authentic knowledge; intelligent.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite marked by good intentions though often producing unfortunate results
  well-intentioned; well-meaning.
  
  • a well-intentioned but clumsy waiter
  • a well-meaning but tactless fellow
  • the son's well-meaning efforts threw a singular chill upon the father's admirers"- S.W.Maughm
  • blunt but well-meant criticism

WordNet

Well`-in*ten"tioned adjective

Definitions

1. Having upright intentions or honorable purposes.

   Dutchmen who had sold themselves to France, as the wellintentioned party. Macaulay.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite kept in good condition
  maintained; kept up.
  
• adjective satellite of places; characterized by order and neatness; free from disorder
  trim; shipshape.
  
  • even the barn was shipshape
  • a trim little sailboat

WordNet

• adjective satellite strongly and firmly constructed
  well-knit.
  
  • a well-knit argument
  • a well-knit theatrical production
  • well-knit athletes
  • a sailor short but well-set"- Alexander Hamilton

WordNet

• adjective satellite widely or fully known
  
  • a well-known politician
  • well-known facts
  • a politician who is well known
  • these facts are well known
• adjective satellite frequently experienced; known closely or intimately
  long-familiar.
  
  • a long-familiar face
  • a well-known voice reached her ears

WordNet

Well"-known` adjective

Definitions

1. Fully known; generally known or acknowledged.

   A church well known with a well-known rite. M. Arnold.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite provided with artificial light
  lighted; lit; illuminated.
  
  • illuminated advertising
  • looked up at the lighted windows
  • a brightly lit room
  • a well-lighted stairwell

WordNet

Well"-lik`ing adjective

Definitions

1. Being in good condition. Obs. or Archaic

   They also shall bring forth more fruit in their age, and shall be fat and well-liking. Bk. of Com. Prayer (Ps. xcii.).

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite full of money
  
  • a well-lined purse

WordNet

• adjective satellite skillfully constructed
  

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• adjective satellite of good upbringing
  well-bred.
  
• adjective satellite socially correct in behavior
  mannerly.
  

WordNet

Well`-man"nered adjective

Definitions

1. Polite; well-bred; complaisant; courteous. Dryden.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite clearly indicated
  
  • a well-marked route

WordNet

Well"-mean`er noun

Definitions

1. One whose intention is good. "Well-meaners think no harm." Dryden.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite not unfriendly or threatening
  unthreatening.
  
  • her well-meaning words were received in silence
  • the exasperation of a...well-meaning cow worried by dogs
• adjective satellite marked by good intentions though often producing unfortunate results
  well-intentioned; well-meaning.
  
  • a well-intentioned but clumsy waiter
  • a well-meaning but tactless fellow
  • the son's well-meaning efforts threw a singular chill upon the father's admirers"- S.W.Maughm
  • blunt but well-meant criticism

WordNet

Well"-mean`ing adjective

Definitions

1. Having a good intention.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite marked by good intentions though often producing unfortunate results
  well-intentioned; well-meaning.
  
  • a well-intentioned but clumsy waiter
  • a well-meaning but tactless fellow
  • the son's well-meaning efforts threw a singular chill upon the father's admirers"- S.W.Maughm
  • blunt but well-meant criticism

WordNet

• adjective satellite well known and commonly used
  
  • Shakespeare exploited many well-mined sources for his plays

WordNet

Well`-na"tured adjective

Definitions

1. Good-natured; kind.

   Well-natured, temperate, and wise. Denham.

Webster 1913

• adverb (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
  about; nigh; almost; most; near; nearly; virtually.
  
  • the job is (just) about done
  • the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
  • we're almost finished
  • the car all but ran her down
  • he nearly fainted
  • talked for nigh onto 2 hours
  • the recording is well-nigh perfect
  • virtually all the parties signed the contract
  • I was near exhausted by the run
  • most everyone agrees

WordNet

Well"-nigh` adverb

Definitions

1. Almost; nearly. Chaucer.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite properly nourished
  well-fed.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
  prosperous; well-heeled; well-off; comfortable; well-fixed; well-situated; easy.
  
  • they were comfortable or even wealthy by some standards
  • easy living
  • a prosperous family
  • his family is well-situated financially
  • well-to-do members of the community
• adjective satellite fortunately situated
  
  • doesn't know when he's well-off

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• adjective satellite ordered well
  
  • well-ordered work habits

WordNet

Well"-plight`ed adjective

Definitions

1. Being well folded. Obs. "Her well-plighted frock." Spenser.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite used of older persons who are healthy
  

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• adjective satellite of pleasing proportions
  

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• adjective satellite more than adequately qualified
  
  • a well-qualified officer

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• adjective satellite well informed or deeply versed through reading
  
  • respect for a well-read man
  • well-read in medieval history
• adjective satellite highly educated; having extensive information or understanding
  knowing; knowledgeable; lettered; learned; well-educated.
  
  • knowing instructors
  • a knowledgeable critic
  • a knowledgeable audience

WordNet

Well"-read` adjective

Definitions

1. Of extensive reading; deeply versed; -- often followed by in.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite many-sided
  all-round; all-around.
  
  • an all-around athlete
  • a well-rounded curriculum

WordNet

Well"-seen` adjective

Definitions

1. Having seen much; hence, accomplished; experienced. Obs. Beau. & Fl.

   Well-seen in arms and proved in many a fight. Spenser.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite strongly and firmly constructed
  well-knit.
  
  • a well-knit argument
  • a well-knit theatrical production
  • well-knit athletes
  • a sailor short but well-set"- Alexander Hamilton

WordNet

Well"-set` adjective

Definitions

1. Properly or firmly set.
2. Well put together; having symmetry of parts.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite closely shaved recently
  clean-shaven; smooth-shaven.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
  prosperous; well-heeled; well-off; comfortable; well-fixed; well-situated; easy.
  
  • they were comfortable or even wealthy by some standards
  • easy living
  • a prosperous family
  • his family is well-situated financially
  • well-to-do members of the community

WordNet

Well"-sped` adjective

Definitions

1. Having good success.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite speaking or spoken fittingly or pleasingly
  
  • a well-spoken gentleman
  • a few well-spoken words on civic pride

WordNet

Well"-spo`ken adjective

Etymology

Definitions

1. Speaking well; speaking with fitness or grace; speaking kindly. "A knight well-spoken." Shak.
2. Spoken with propriety; as, well-spoken words.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite receiving deferential regard
  respected.
  
  • a respected family

WordNet

• adjective satellite done or happening at the appropriate or proper time
  timely; well timed; seasonable.
  
  • a timely warning
  • with timely treatment the patient has a good chance of recovery
  • a seasonable time for discussion
  • the book's publication was well timed
• adverb at an opportune time
  timely; seasonably; apropos.
  
  • your letter arrived apropos

WordNet

• adjective satellite in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
  prosperous; well-heeled; well-off; comfortable; well-fixed; well-situated; easy.
  
  • they were comfortable or even wealthy by some standards
  • easy living
  • a prosperous family
  • his family is well-situated financially
  • well-to-do members of the community

WordNet

• adjective satellite tested and proved useful or correct
  tested; tried.
  
  • a tested method

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• adjective satellite of a pleasing shape
  
  • a well-turned ankle
• adjective satellite (of language) aptly and pleasingly expressed
  
  • a well-turned phrase

WordNet

Well"-will`er noun

Definitions

1. One who wishes well, or means kindly. R. "A well-willer of yours." Brydges.

Webster 1913

Well"-wish` noun

Definitions

1. A wish of happiness. "A well-wish for his friends." Addison.

Webster 1913

• noun someone who shares your feelings or opinions and hopes that you will be successful
  sympathizer; sympathiser.
  

WordNet

• noun an expression of good will from one person to another
  
  • much hand-shaking and well-wishing
• adjective satellite extending good wishes for success
  
  • his well-wishing supporters

WordNet

• adjective satellite showing signs of much wear or use
  
• adjective satellite repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
  commonplace; hackneyed; tired; old-hat; timeworn; trite; banal; threadbare; shopworn; stock.
  
  • bromidic sermons
  • his remarks were trite and commonplace
  • hackneyed phrases
  • a stock answer
  • repeating threadbare jokes
  • parroting some timeworn axiom
  • the trite metaphor `hard as nails'

WordNet

• noun an exploratory oil well drilled in land not known to be an oil field
  wildcat.
  

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• verb feel or express a desire or hope concerning the future or fortune of
  wish.
  

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