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well up



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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
well1 /wɛl/USA pronunciation   adv., adj., comparative bet•ter, [superlative] best, interj. 
adv. 
  1. in a good or satisfactory manner:Our plans are going well.
  2. thoroughly or carefully:Shake the bottle well before using.
  3. in a proper manner:That child behaves well in school.
  4. excellently:a difficult task that was well handled.
  5. with justice or reason:I couldn't very well refuse.
  6. with favor or approval:My family thinks well of her.
  7. comfortably or prosperously:to live well.
  8. to a considerable degree:These grades are well below average.
  9. in a close way;
    intimately:I've known them well.
  10. without doubt;
    certainly:I cry easily, as you well know.
  11. with good nature;
    without anger:He took the joke well.

adj. 
  1. in good health:not a well man; He's not well.
  2. satisfactory or good:[be + ~]All is well.
  3. proper, fitting, or prudent:[ be + ~ + that clause ]It is well that you didn't go.

interj. 
  1. (used to express surprise, a mild scolding, or the like:)Well! I didn't know you felt so strongly about it.
  2. This word is used to introduce a sentence, resume a conversation, etc.:Well, it's time to go home.
Idioms
  1. Idioms as well, in addition;
    also:She wanted to produce the play and to direct it as well.
  2. Idioms as well as, equally as:He's smart as well as charming.
  3. Idioms leave well enough alone, to avoid changing something that is satisfactory the way it is.

well•ness, n. [uncountable]

well2 /wɛl/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. Mininga hole drilled into the earth to obtain a natural deposit, as water or petroleum:an oil well.
  2. Geographya natural source of water, as a spring.
  3. a source:a well of compassion.
  4. Buildingan enclosed space, as for air, stairs, or an elevator, extending up and down through the floors of a building.

v. [no object]
  1. to rise, spring, or gush, as from a well:Tears welled up in my eyes.

we'll /wil; unstressed wɪl/USA pronunciation  
  1. contraction. a shortened form ofwe shallorwe will.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
well1  (wel),USA pronunciation adv., adj., [compar.] bet•ter, [superl.] best, interj., n. 
adv. 
    1. in a good or satisfactory manner:Business is going well.
    2. thoroughly, carefully, or soundly:to shake well before using; listen well.
    3. in a moral or proper manner:to behave well.
    4. commendably, meritoriously, or excellently:a difficult task well done.
    5. with propriety, justice, or reason:I could not well refuse.
    6. adequately or sufficiently:Think well before you act.
    7. to a considerable extent or degree:a sum well over the amount agreed upon.
    8. with great or intimate knowledge:to know a person well.
    9. certainly;
      without doubt:I anger easily, as you well know.
    10. with good nature;
      without rancor:He took the joke well.
    11. as well:
      • in addition;
        also;
        too:She insisted ondirecting the play and on producing it as well.
      • equally:The town grew as well because of its location as because of its superb climate.
    12. as well as, as much or as truly as;
      equally as:Joan is witty as well as intelligent.

    adj. 
    1. in good health;
      sound in body and mind:Are you well? He is not a well man.
    2. satisfactory, pleasing, or good:All is well with us.
    3. proper, fitting, or gratifying:It is well that you didn't go.
    4. in a satisfactory position;
      well-off:I am very well as I am.
    5. leave well enough alone, avoid changing something that is satisfactory.

    interj. 
    1. (used to express surprise, reproof, etc.):Well! There's no need to shout.
    2. (used to introduce a sentence, resume a conversation, etc.):Well, who would have thought he could do it?

    n. 
    1. well-being;
      good fortune;
      success:to wish well to someone.
    • bef. 900; Middle English, Old English wel(l) (adjective, adjectival and adverb, adverbial); cognate with Dutch wel, German wohl, Old Norse vel, Gothic waila
      • 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged properly, correctly.
      • 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged skillfully, adeptly, accurately, efficiently.
      • 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged suitably.
      • 6.See corresponding entry in Unabridged fully, amply.
      • 7.See corresponding entry in Unabridged rather, quite.
      • 13.See corresponding entry in Unabridged healthy, hale, hearty.
      • 14.See corresponding entry in Unabridged fine.
      • 15.See corresponding entry in Unabridged suitable, befitting, appropriate.
      • 16.See corresponding entry in Unabridged fortunate, happy.
      • 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged poorly, badly.
      • 13.See corresponding entry in Unabridged ill, sick.
      See good. 
well2  (wel),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Mininga hole drilled or bored into the earth to obtain water, petroleum, natural gas, brine, or sulfur.
  2. Geographya spring or natural source of water.
  3. an apparent reservoir or a source of human feelings, emotions, energy, etc.:He was a well of gentleness and courtesy.
  4. a container, receptacle, or reservoir for a liquid:the well of ink in a fountain pen.
  5. Buildingany sunken or deep, enclosed space, as a shaft for air or light, stairs, or an elevator, extending vertically through the floors of a building.
  6. [Naut.]
    • Nauticala part of a weather deck between two superstructures, extending from one side of a vessel to the other.
    • Nauticala compartment or enclosure around a ship's pumps to make them easily accessible and protect them from being damaged by the cargo.
  7. a hollow compartment, recessed area, or depression for holding a specific item or items, as fish in the bottom of a boat or the retracted wheels of an airplane in flight.
  8. Miningany shaft dug or bored into the earth, as for storage space or a mine.

v.i. 
  1. to rise, spring, or gush, as water, from the earth or some other source (often fol. by up, out, or forth):Tears welled up in my eyes.

v.t. 
  1. to send welling up or forth:a fountain welling its pure water.

adj. 
  1. like, of, resembling, from, or used in connection with a well.
  • bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English well(e), Old English wylle, wella, welle; cognate with German Welle wave; (verb, verbal) Middle English wellen, Old English wellan (cognate with Dutch wellen, Old Norse vella); both noun, nominal and verb, verbal ultimately akin to weallan to boil
    • 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged store, fund, mine, fount.
we'll  (wēl; unstressed wil),USA pronunciation 
  1. contraction of we will.
    See contraction. 
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
well / wɛl/ (better, best)
  1. (often used in combination) in a satisfactory manner: the party went very well
  2. (often used in combination) in a good, skilful, or pleasing manner: she plays the violin well
  3. in a correct or careful manner: listen well to my words
  4. in a comfortable or prosperous manner: to live well
  5. (usually used with auxiliaries) suitably; fittingly: you can't very well say that
  6. intimately: I knew him well
  7. in a kind or favourable manner: she speaks well of you
  8. to a great or considerable extent; fully: to be well informed
  9. by a considerable margin: let me know well in advance
  10. preceded by could, might, or may: indeed: you may well have to do it yourself
  11. (intensifier): well safe
  12. all very well ⇒ used ironically to express discontent, dissent, etc
  13. as well ⇒ in addition; too
  14. preceded by may or might: with equal effect: you might as well come
  15. just as well ⇒ preferable or advisable: it would be just as well if you paid me now
  16. as well as ⇒ in addition to
  17. just leave well alone, just leave well enough alone ⇒ to refrain from interfering with something that is satisfactory
  18. well and good ⇒ used to indicate calm acceptance, as of a decision
  19. well up in ⇒ well acquainted with (a particular subject); knowledgeable about
 (usually postpositive)
  1. (when prenominal, usually used with a negative) in good health: I'm very well, thank you, he's not a well man
  2. satisfactory, agreeable, or pleasing
  3. prudent; advisable: it would be well to make no comment
  4. prosperous or comfortable
  5. fortunate or happy: it is well that you agreed to go
  1. an expression of surprise, indignation, or reproof
  2. an expression of anticipation in waiting for an answer or remark
  1. an expression used to preface a remark, gain time, etc: well, I don't think I will come
Etymology: Old English wel; related to Old High German wala, wola (German wohl), Old Norse val, Gothic waila
well / wɛl/
  1. a hole or shaft that is excavated, drilled, bored, or cut into the earth so as to tap a supply of water, oil, gas, etc
  2. a natural pool where ground water comes to the surface
  3. a cavity, space, or vessel used to contain a liquid
  4. (in combination): an inkwell
  5. an open shaft through the floors of a building, such as one used for a staircase
  6. a deep enclosed space in a building or between buildings that is open to the sky to permit light and air to enter
  7. a bulkheaded compartment built around a ship's pumps for protection and ease of access
  8. another word for cockpit
  9. (in England) the open space in the centre of a law court
  10. a source, esp one that provides a continuous supply: he is a well of knowledge
  1. to flow or cause to flow upwards or outwards: tears welled from her eyes
Etymology: Old English wella; related to Old High German wella (German Welle wave), Old Norse vella boiling heat
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
we'll / wiːl/
  1. we will or we shall
'well up' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
kvell - set - shad - sit - swell - up - upwell - well
Collocations: the [emotions, feelings] welled up inside (her), [she, her tears] welled up, well up at the [thought, idea, sight] of, more...

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