Click here to hear one of our visitors pronounce this word. 13 definitions found From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]: well adjective 1: in good health especially after having suffered illness or injury; "appears to be entirely well"; "the wound is nearly well"; "a well man"; "I think I'm well; at least I feel well" [ant: {ill}] 2: resulting favorably; "its 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" [syn: {good}, {well(p)}] 3: wise or advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be well to start early" [syn: {well(p)}] noun 1: a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine 2: a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid 3: an abundant source; "she was a well of information" [syn: {wellspring}, {fountainhead}] 4: an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway) 5: 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 adverb 1: (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'); "the children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis"; "a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty good" [syn: {good}] [ant: {ill}] 2: 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" 3: indicating high probability; in all likelihood; "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" [syn: {easily}] 4: (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" 5: 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" 6: favorably; with approval; "their neighbors spoke well of them"; "he thought well of the book" [ant: {ill}] 7: to a great extent or degree; "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" [syn: {considerably}, {substantially}] 8: with great or especially intimate knowledge; "we knew them well" [syn: {intimately}] 9: with prudence or propriety; "You would do well to say nothing more"; "could not well refuse" 10: with skill or in a pleasing manner; "she dances well"; "he writes well" [ant: {badly}] 11: in a manner affording benefit or advantage; "she married well"; "The children were settled advantageously in Seattle" [syn: {advantageously}] [ant: {badly}, {badly}] 12: in financial comfort; "They live well"; "she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died" [syn: {comfortably}] 13: without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor; "took the joke well"; "took the tragic news well" [ant: {badly}] verb: come up; "Tears well in her eyes" [syn: {swell}] [also: {better}, {best}] From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]: better See {well} From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]: better adjective 1: (comparative of 'good') superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another; "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din"; "a better coat"; "a better type of car"; "a suit with a better fit"; "a better chance of success"; "produced a better mousetrap"; "she's better in math than in history" [ant: {worse}] 2: (comparative of 'good') changed for the better in health or fitness; "her health is better now"; "I feel better" [ant: {worse}] 3: (comparative and superlative of 'well') wiser or more advantageous and hence advisable; "it would be better to speak to him"; "the White House thought it best not to respond" [syn: {better(p)}, {best(p)}] 4: more than half; "argued for the better part of an hour" noun 1: one having claim to precedence; a superior; "the common man has been kept in his place by his betters" 2: someone who bets [syn: {bettor}, {wagerer}, {punter}] 3: the superior one of two alternatives; "chose the better of the two" adverb 1: comparative of 'well'; in a better or more excellent manner or more advantageously or attractively or to a greater degree etc.; "She had never sung better"; "a deed better left undone"; "better suited to the job" 2: from a position of superiority or authority; "father knows best"; "I know better." [syn: {best}] verb 1: surpass in excellence; "She bettered her own record"; "break a record" [syn: {break}] 2: to make better; "The editor improved the manuscript with his changes" [syn: {improve}, {amend}, {ameliorate}, {meliorate}] [ant: {worsen}] 3: get better; "The weather improved toward evening" [syn: {improve}, {ameliorate}, {meliorate}] [ant: {worsen}] From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]: better See {good} From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]: good adjective 1: having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified; "good news from the hospital"; "a good report card"; "when she was good she was very very good"; "a good knife is one good for cutting"; "this stump will make a good picnic table"; "a good check"; "a good joke"; "a good exterior paint"; "a good secretary"; "a good dress for the office" [ant: {bad}] 2: having the normally expected amount; "gives full measure"; "gives good measure"; "a good mile from here" [syn: {full}] 3: morally admirable [ant: {evil}] 4: deserving of esteem and respect; "all respectable companies give guarantees"; "ruined the family's good name" [syn: {estimable}, {honorable}, {respectable}] 5: promoting or enhancing well-being; "an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries"; "the beneficial effects of a temperate climate"; "the experience was good for her" [syn: {beneficial}] 6: superior to the average; "in fine spirits"; "a fine student"; "made good grades"; "morale was good"; "had good weather for the parade" [syn: {fine}] 7: agreeable or pleasing; "we all had a good time"; "good manners" 8: of moral excellence; "a genuinely good person"; "a just cause"; "an upright and respectable man"; "the life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous"- Frederick Douglass [syn: {just}, {upright}, {virtuous}] 9: having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude; "adept in handicrafts"; "an adept juggler"; "an expert job"; "a good mechanic"; "a practiced marksman"; "a proficient engineer"; "a lesser-known but no less skillful composer"; "the effect was achieved by skillful retouching" [syn: {adept}, {expert}, {practiced}, {proficient}, {skillful}, {skilful}] 10: thorough; "had a good workout"; "gave the house a good cleaning" 11: with or in a close or intimate relationship; "a good friend"; "my sisters and brothers are near and dear" [syn: {dear}, {near}] 12: having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others; "his benevolent smile"; "a benevolent nature" [syn: {benevolent}] [ant: {malevolent}] 13: financially sound; "a good investment"; "a secure investment" [syn: {dependable}, {safe}, {secure}] 14: most suitable or right for a particular purpose; "a good time to plant tomatoes"; "the right time to act"; "the time is ripe for great sociological changes" [syn: {right}, {ripe}] 15: resulting favorably; "its 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" [syn: {well(p)}] 16: exerting force or influence; "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)" [syn: {effective}, {in effect(p)}, {in force(p)}] 17: feeling healthy and free of aches and pains; "I feel good" [syn: {good(p)}] 18: capable of pleasing; "good looks" 19: appealing to the mind; "good music"; "a serious book" [syn: {serious}] 20: in excellent physical condition; "good teeth"; "I still have one good leg"; "a sound mind in a sound body" [syn: {sound}] 21: tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health; "beneficial effects of a balanced diet"; "a good night's sleep"; "the salutary influence of pure air" [syn: {beneficial}, {salutary}] 22: not forged; "a good dollar bill" 23: not left to spoil; "the meat is still good" [syn: {unspoiled}, {unspoilt}] 24: generally admired; "good taste" noun 1: benefit; "for your own good"; "what's the good of worrying?" 2: moral excellence or admirableness; "there is much good to be found in people" [syn: {goodness}] [ant: {evil}, {evil}] 3: that which is good or valuable or useful; "weigh the good against the bad"; "among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization" [syn: {goodness}] [ant: {bad}, {bad}] adverb 1: (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'); "the children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis"; "a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty good" [syn: {well}] [ant: {ill}] 2: in a complete and thorough manner ('good' is sometimes used informally for 'thoroughly'); "he was soundly defeated"; "we beat him good" [syn: {thoroughly}, {soundly}] [also: {better}, {best}] From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]: Good \Good\, adjective [Compar. {Better}; superl. {Best}. These words, though used as the comparative and superlative of good, are from a different root.] [AS. G[=o]d, akin to D. goed, OS. g[=o]d, OHG. guot, G. gut, Icel. g[=o][eth]r, Sw. & Dan. god, Goth. g[=o]ds; prob. orig., fitting, belonging together, and akin to E. gather. [root]29 Cf. {Gather}.] 1. Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. --Gen. i. 31. Good company, good wine, good welcome. --Shak. 2. Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; -- said of persons or actions. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works. --Tit. ii. 7. 3. Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; -- often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto. The men were very good unto us. --1 Sam. xxv. 15. 4. Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; -- followed especially by for. All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit. --Collier. 5. Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; -- followed especially by at. He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor. --Shak. Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else. --South. 6. Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary ability; of unimpaired credit. My reasons are both good and weighty. --Shak. My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond. --Shak. 7. Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth. Love no man in good earnest. --Shak. 8. Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc. 9. Not lacking or deficient; full; complete. Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over. --Luke vi. 38. 10. Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc. A good name is better than precious ointment. --Eccl. vii. 1. {As good as}. See under {As}. {For good}, or {For good and all}, completely and finally; fully; truly. The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all. --L'Estrange. {Good breeding}, polite or polished manners, formed by education; a polite education. Distinguished by good humor and good breeding. --Macaulay. {Good cheap}, literally, good bargain; reasonably cheap. {Good consideration} (Law). (a) A consideration of blood or of natural love and affection. --Blackstone. (b) A valuable consideration, or one which will sustain a contract. {Good fellow}, a person of companionable qualities. [Familiar] {Good folk}, {or Good people}, fairies; brownies; pixies, etc. [Colloq. Eng. & Scot.] {Good for nothing}. (a) Of no value; useless; worthless. (b) Used substantively, an idle, worthless person. My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing. --Ld. Lytton. {Good Friday}, the Friday of Holy Week, kept in some churches as a fast, in memoory of our Savior's passion or suffering; the anniversary of the crucifixion. {Good humor}, or {Good-humor}, a cheerful or pleasant temper or state of mind. {Good humor man}, a travelling vendor who sells Good Humor ice-cream (or some similar ice-cream) from a small refrigerated truck; he usually drives slowly through residential neighborhoods in summertime, loudly playing some distinctive recorded music to announce his presence. [U. S.] {Good nature}, or {Good-nature}, habitual kindness or mildness of temper or disposition; amiability; state of being in good humor. The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character. --Macaulay. The young count's good nature and easy persuadability were among his best characteristics. --Hawthorne. {Good people}. See {Good folk} (above). {Good speed}, good luck; good success; godspeed; -- an old form of wishing success. See {Speed}. {Good turn}, an act of kidness; a favor. {Good will}. (a) Benevolence; well wishing; kindly feeling. (b) (Law) The custom of any trade or business; the tendency or inclination of persons, old customers and others, to resort to an established place of business; the advantage accruing from tendency or inclination. The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place. --Lord Eldon. {In good time}. (a) Promptly; punctually; opportunely; not too soon nor too late. (b) (Mus.) Correctly; in proper time. {To hold good}, to remain true or valid; to be operative; to remain in force or effect; as, his promise holds good; the condition still holds good. {To make good}, to fulfill; to establish; to maintain; to supply (a defect or deficiency); to indemmify; to prove or verify (an accusation); to prove to be blameless; to clear; to vindicate. Each word made good and true. --Shak. Of no power to make his wishes good. --Shak. I . . . would by combat make her good. --Shak. Convenient numbers to make good the city. --Shak. {To think good}, to approve; to be pleased or satisfied with; to consider expedient or proper. If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. --Zech. xi. 12. Note: Good, in the sense of wishing well, is much used in greeting and leave-taking; as, good day, good night, good evening, good morning, etc. From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]: B