well-off

/ˌwel ˈɒf/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌwel ˈɔːf/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwel-ˈȯf/ (ame, mw) · /ˌwel ˈɑːf/ (ame, ipa)

well-off — adjective

1. having enough money to live very comfortably, with extra income available for lu

1.形容詞B1
釋義

having enough money to live very comfortably, with extra income available for luxuries, travel, and savings.

例句

The Okonkwo family became well-off after their grocery chain expanded across the region.

Yuki never worried about tuition because her well-off parents had saved for years.

collocation: well-off parents / well-off family

同義詞
  • wealthy

    stronger than well-off; implies very large assets or property

  • prosperous

    more formal; suggests ongoing financial success rather than just comfort

  • affluent

    formal; used for communities or countries rather than individuals

反義詞

用法筆記

Commonly used with family, parents, or neighbourhood as the subject. The comparative form better-off is very frequent in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌He is a well-off person' (adj before noun).
✅He is well-off.' or 'He is a well-off business owner.
💡well-off is usually used predicatively (after a linking verb), but it can appear attributively before a noun.
❌She is a well-off.' (treating it as a noun).
✅She is well-off.
💡well-off is an adjective meaning she has money; the noun form is the well-off (as a group).

2. having a large enough amount or supply of something desirable, such as resources

2.形容詞B2
釋義

having a large enough amount or supply of something desirable, such as resources, opportunities, or personal qualities.

例句

The coastal town is well-off for seafood, with fresh catches arriving every morning.

pattern: well-off for [resource]

Aisha grew up in a home well-off in love and support, though never rich in money.

pattern: well-off in [quality or resource]

同義詞
  • well-provided

    more literal; sounds slightly formal

  • abundant

    not used with a person as subject; describes the resource itself

  • rich

    colloquial in this sense ('rich in history'), but avoid with money contexts

反義詞
  • lacking

    without a preposition — 'lacking in resources'

文法句型

well-off for [resource]

well-off in [quality]

用法筆記

Followed by the preposition for or in. This sense does NOT refer to money — avoid replacing it with rich or wealthy in a sentence about personal finances.

常見錯誤

❌The library is well-off money.
✅The library is well-off for money.
💡always use a preposition (for or in).
❌She is well-off with friends.
✅She is well-off in friends.
💡the typical prepositions are for and in, not with.

3. in a good, favourable, or enviable situation, especially when compared with othe

3.形容詞B2
釋義

in a good, favourable, or enviable situation, especially when compared with others who have less.

例句

Growing up with three healthy siblings, Theo felt well-off compared to an only child.

The Watanabe family are well-off to live within walking distance of the sea and the mountains.

pattern: be well-off to + infinitive

同義詞
  • lucky

    more informal; emphasises chance rather than situation

  • fortunate

    more formal; directly synonymous

  • privileged

    suggests unearned advantage, often used in social contexts

反義詞

用法筆記

Use with to + infinitive to describe a specific opportunity or advantage (e.g. well-off to have, well-off to live). Distinguish from the RICH sense: here the focus is on situation or luck, not money.

常見錯誤

❌We are well-off to having a good park.
✅We are well-off to have a good park.
💡use the bare infinitive, not a gerund, after to.

well-off — noun