Tra từ well - Từ điển tiếng Anh - Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary

well UK US [wel] adverb [ better ], [ best ] [ better best ]

IN A GOOD WAY

1. <E > in a good way, to a high or satisfactory standard
• The documentary presented both sides of the problem very well.
• The concert was well enough advertised but ticket sales were poor.
• a well-cut suit
• a well-paid job
• Her points were well put (= expressed in a good or clever way).
• His point about the need to reduce waste was well taken (= it was accepted as a good criticism).
• They took two hours to discuss the plans and considered it time well spent (= it had been a useful discussion).
• I can't do it as well as Marie can.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Good, better and best ↑Informal words for good ↑Quite good, or not very good

• I think she coped very well under the circumstances.
• Your painting has come out really well.
• The tyres on my car don't cope very well on wet roads.
• We're getting on quite well with the decorating.
• My golf was terrible today - I just didn't strike the ball well.

TO A GREAT DEGREE

2. <E > very much, to a great degree or completely
• Knead the dough well, then divide it into four pieces.
• He could well imagine how much his promise was going to cost him.
• I can't catch the bus - there are no buses after midnight, as you well know.
• He's plays the piano well enough (= to a satisfactory standard).
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Very and extreme ↑Complete and whole ↑Intensifying expressions
3. <E > used to emphasize some prepositions
• The results are well above/below what we expected.
• Keep well away from the edge of the cliff.
• It cost well over £100.
• Stand well clear of the doors!
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Very and extreme ↑Complete and whole ↑Intensifying expressions
4. <E > used to emphasize some adjectives
• The police are well aware of the situation.
• The museum is well worth a visit.
• Some machines look more like cheap, plastic toys - leave these well alone.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Very and extreme ↑Complete and whole ↑Intensifying expressions
5. UK slang very
• The film was well good.
• Watch out for those two - they're well hard (= strong and willing to use violence).
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Very and extreme ↑Complete and whole ↑Intensifying expressions

• She's well aware of her strengths and weaknesses as an artist.
• The scheme was well thought out.
• The instructions on the fireworks said "Light the blue touchpaper, and stand well clear."
• Tickets are selling well for the group's upcoming concert tour.
• She managed to complete her last film well within budget.

REASONABLY

6. <E > with good reason
• She might well be the best person to ask.
• I can't very well (= It would not be acceptable to) refuse their kind offer.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Reasons and explanations

• This might well be our last chance to see each other before Christmas.
• You might well wonder what happened to all the food we prepared.
• It's just as well you brought an umbrella. It's going to rain.
• You can't very well take it back to the shop now that you've worn it.
• You'd be as well to confirm the bookings before you arrive.

IN ADDITION

7. as well (as)
<E > in addition (to)
• Invite Emlyn - and Simon as well.
• I want to visit Andrew as well as Martin.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Also, extra, and in addition

Common errors:
Warning: as well usually goes at the end of a clause.
✗ As well, the hotel offers a discount for students.
• The hotel offers a discount for students as well.
At the beginning of a sentence, use Also or In addition:
• Also, the hotel offers a discount for students.
Idioms: all very well ▪ just as well ▪ well and truly ▪ well away ▪ well done ▪ well in ▪ well out of something

adjective usually after verb [ better ], [ best ]
<E > healthy; not ill
• He hasn't been too well lately.
• When she came home from school she really didn't look well.
• I'm sorry you're ill - I hope you get well soon.
• They sent a get well card.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Fit and healthy

• He didn't feel very well after getting off the bike.
• I'm very well thank you.
• She wasn't feeling well, so I don't think she gave of her best tonight.
• She wasn't feeling well, so she went home early.
• I'm not well. I'd better not go out.

exclamation
<E > used to introduce something you are going to say, often to show surprise, doubt, slight disagreement or anger, or to continue a story
• Well, what shall we do now?
• Well now/then, how are we going to arrange things?
• "Who was that?" "Well, I'm afraid I can't remember her name."
• "He's decided to give up his job and move to the north with her." "Well, well - that's what love does for you."
• Well, really, how thoughtless of him!
• Well? What did you do next?
• Well, after that we went camping in the mountains.
• Well/Oh well, it doesn't matter - I can always buy another one.
• Very well, if you insist I'll meet him next week.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Connecting words joining words or phrases with similar or related meanings

• Well now, what are we doing about that?
• Oh well, never mind.
• Well, well. Who'd have thought things would turn out like this.
• Well? How did your exam go?
• Well really! How rude!

noun countable

<A > a deep hole in the ground from which you can get water, oil, or gas
See also stairwell
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Parts of watercourses

• By this time all the wells had run dry.
• Sinking more wells is the best way of supplying the population with clean drinking water.
• Flames spouted out from the oil wells.
• The well ran dry.
• The cottage has a well in the front garden.

verb intransitive usually + adverb or preposition
(of liquid) to appear on the surface of something or come slowly out from somewhere
• Dirty water welled (up) out of the damaged pipe.
• As she read the letter tears welled up in her eyes.
• figurative Conflicting emotions welled up in his heart.
Thesaurus⁺: ↑Movement of liquids