Language Research

well · adverb

/wel/Full view

well (IN A GOOD WAY)

A1 in a successful or satisfactory way

Dictionary examples:

I thought the team played well.

He's doing very well in school.

The store sells well-made clothes.

They took two hours to discuss the plans and considered it time well spent.

Learner example:

I play guitar very well and I love rock! (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

as well (as)

A1 in addition (to)

Dictionary examples:

Are you going to invite Steve as well?

They have lived in the United States as well as Britain.

Learner example:

Dylma goes to school every day and work[s] as well. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

well (TO A GREAT DEGREE)

A2 in a complete way or as much as possible

Dictionary examples:

Stir the mixture well.

I know him very well.

Learner example:

I live in the capital city. [...] I know it very well and it will be [a] pleasure to guide you around. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Slovak)

may/might/could well

B2 used to say that something is likely to be true

Dictionary examples:

She might well be the best person to ask.

He could well be at Michelle's house.

Learner example:

Laura could well imagine [that] she would stand opposite the examiners and not answer any question in the right way. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

well (CONSIDERABLY)

C1 used to emphasize some prepositions

Dictionary examples:

The results are well above/below what we expected.

Keep well away from the edge of the cliff.

It cost well over $100.

Learner example:

The hospital received well over 80% of the profits, and that as you can see is much more than just 60%. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

well (EMPHASIS)

B2 used to emphasize some adjectives

Dictionary examples:

The police are well aware of the situation.

The museum is well worth a visit.

Learner example:

Finally I would like to recommend a visit to Lampton Castle; in addition to the paintings and furniture there is now a new collection of musical instruments, which is well worth seeing. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

may/might as well do sth

C1 If you may/might as well do something, it will not spoil the situation if you do that thing.

Dictionary example:

If we're not waiting for Karen, we might as well go now.

Learner example:

I might as well go with her and if you like, you can join us too. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Turkish)

can't/couldn't very well do sth

C2 used to say that something is not a suitable or practical thing to do

Dictionary example:

I couldn't very well tell her while he was there.

Learner example:

I couldn't very well tell her that without my diaries, I'd be lost and not know who I was. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

mean well

C2 to intend to be helpful or kind but cause problems instead

Dictionary example:

He means well, but he keeps trying to help with things he doesn't really understand.

Learner example:

Although these fans might mean well, in many cases they do not appear to reali[z]e that their "heroes" perhaps would like to be left alone. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

well · adjective

/wel/

well

A1 healthy; not sick

Dictionary examples:

"How are you?" "Very well, thanks."

He hasn't been too well lately.

When she came home from school she really didn't look well.

I'm sorry you're sick - I hope you get well soon.

Learner example:

How are you? I'm very well. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Bengali)

all is well

B1 everything is in a good or acceptable state

Dictionary example:

I hope all is well with Jack.

Learner example:

I hope all's well. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

it's just as well

C1 used to say it is good or useful that something happened in a particular way

Dictionary example:

It's just as well we brought an umbrella.

Learner example:

All these things more than compensated for there not really being anything much to do in the evenings. Maybe that was just as well, because both the travel costs and my own pocket money expenditure had exceed the amount of money I had intended to spend. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)

be all very well

C1 used to show that you do not agree with something or that you are annoyed about something

Dictionary example:

It's all very well for her to say everything's fine, she doesn't have to live here.

Learner example:

That's all very well for most of the people but according to my desires [i]t's not enough. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

well · exclamation

/wel/

well

A1 used at the beginning of a sentence to pause slightly or to express doubt or disagreement

Dictionary examples:

"You'll go, won't you?" "Well, I'm not sure."

Well, what should we do now?

"Who was that?" "Well, I'm afraid I can't remember her name."

Well, after that we went camping in the mountains.

Learner example:

Well, my friend, I have just seen this film but I can see it again. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

Oh well

B1 used to say that a situation cannot be changed although it might be disappointing

Dictionary example:

Oh well, it doesn't matter; I can always buy another one.

Learner example:

I always dreamed [of going] sailing, but not even a little boat [is] left, some other people [have] already booked them! Oh well. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)