the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
any enterprise in which losses and gains cancel out; "at the end of the year the accounting department showed that it was a wash"
a watercolor made by applying a series of monochrome washes one over the other
a thin coat of water-base paint
the dry bed of an intermittent stream (as at the bottom of a canyon)
to cleanse (itself or another animal) by licking; "The cat washes several times a day"
cleanse (one's body) with soap and water
form by erosion; "The river washed a ravine into the mountainside"
remove by the application of water or other liquid and soap or some other cleaning agent; "he washed the dirt from his coat"; "The nurse washed away the blood"; "Can you wash away the spots on the windows?"; "he managed to wash out the stains"
apply a thin coating of paint, metal, etc., to
clean with some chemical process
cleanse with a cleaning agent, such as soap, and water; "Wash the towels, please!"
separate dirt or gravel from (precious minerals)
move by or as if by water; "The swollen river washed away the footbridge"
admit to testing or proof; "This silly excuse won't wash in traffic court"
be capable of being washed; "Does this material wash?"
a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine
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
an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)
a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
an abundant source; "she was a well of information"
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"
(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-seasoned dish"; "a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty good"
without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor; "took the joke well"; "took the tragic news well"
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"
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"
favorably; with approval; "their neighbors spoke well of them"; "he thought well of the book"
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"
in financial comfort; "They live well"; "she has been able to live comfortably since her husband died"
in a manner affording benefit or advantage; "she married well"; "The children were settled advantageously in Seattle"
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"
with skill or in a pleasing manner; "she dances well"; "he writes well"
with prudence or propriety; "You would do well to say nothing more"; "could not well refuse"
with great or especially intimate knowledge; "we knew them well"
(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"
come up, as of a liquid; "Tears well in her eyes"; "the currents well up"