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"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"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"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"8. with great or especially intimate knowledge;
"we knew them well"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"11. in a manner affording benefit or advantage;
"she married well""The children were settled advantageously in Seattle"12. in financial comfort;
"They live well""she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died"13. without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor;
"took the joke well""took the tragic news well"