mean well Definition

mean¹
verb meant, meaning

1. To express or intend to express, show or indicate something.

Thesaurus: denote, indicate, express, signify, designate, stand for, import, symbolize, represent, imply, suggest.
2. To intend something; to have it as a purpose.

Example: didn't mean any harm
Thesaurus: propose, intend, anticipate, expect, plan, design.
3. To be serious or sincere about something.

Example: He means what he says
4. To be important to the degree specified; to represent something.

Example: Your approval means a lot to me
Example: He meant nothing to me
5. To entail something necessarily; to involve or result in it.

Example: War means hardship
6. To foretell or portend something.

Example: Cold cloudless evenings mean overnight frost

Idiom: be meant for something

To be destined to it.
Example: She was meant for stardom

Idiom: mean well

To have good intentions.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon mænan.

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well¹
adverb better, best

1. Competently; skilfully.
2. Satisfactorily.
3. Kindly or favourably.

Thesaurus: favourably, glowingly.
4. Thoroughly, properly or carefully.
5. Fully or adequately.
6. Intimately.

Example: don't know her well
7. Successfully; prosperously.

Thesaurus: splendidly, admirably, favourably, comfortably, nicely; Antonym: badly, poorly.
8. Approvingly.
9. Attractively.
10. By a long way.

Example: well past midnight
11. Justifiably.

Example: can't very well ignore him
12. Conceivably; quite possibly.

Example: may well be right
13. Understandably.

Example: if she objects, as well she may
14. Very much.

Example: well worth doing
15. usually colloq
Used in combination for emphasis
Example: I'm jolly well going to
Example: I was well pleased!

adj better, best

1. Healthy.

Thesaurus: healthy, fit, fine, flourishing, robust, strong, in good health, thriving, sound; Antonym: ill.
2. In a satisfactory state.

Thesaurus: pleasant, favourable, satisfactory, agreeable, fortunate.
3. Sensible; advisable.

Example: would be well to check

exclamation

1. Used enquiringly in expectation of a response or explanation, etc.
2. Used variously in conversation, eg to resume a narrative, preface a reply, express surprise, indignation or doubt, etc.

Idiom: all very well

colloq
Said as an objecting response to a consoling remark: satisfactory or acceptable but only up to a point.
Example: It's all very well to criticize

Idiom: as well

Too; in addition.
Thesaurus: also, in addition, additionally, to boot.

Note: also with just
For all the difference it makes.
Example: I may as well tell you

Note: also with just
A good thing; lucky.
Example: It was just as well you came when you did

Idiom: as well as ...

In addition to ...
Thesaurus: including, together with, along with, plus, in addition to.

Idiom: be as well to do something

To be sensible to do it.

Idiom: do well out of something

To profit from it.

Idiom: leave well alone (let well alone)

Not to interfere in things that are satisfactory as they are.

Idiom: mean well

To have helpful or kindly intentions.

Idiom: very well

An expression of acceptance in complying with an order or accepting a point, etc.

Idiom: well and good

Used to show acceptance of facts or a situation.

Idiom: well and truly

Thoroughly; completely.

Idiom: well away

Making rapid progress; far away.

colloq
Drunk or asleep, etc.

Idiom: well done!

An expression used to congratulate someone on an achievement, etc.

Idiom: well enough

Satisfactory within limits.

Idiom: well off

Wealthy; financially comfortable.
Thesaurus: affluent, wealthy, rich, prosperous, successful, moneyed, well-to-do, well-heeled (slang), loaded (slang), in the money (slang); Antonym: poor.

Fortunate; successful.

Idiom: well out of something

colloq
Fortunate to be free of it.

Idiom: well up in something

colloq
Having a thorough knowledge of it.

Idiom: well, well

Expressing surprise.

Idiom: well worth something

Definitely worth it.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon wel.