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• well-off
  well-off

  adjective

  having sufficient money for comfortable living; well-to-do.
• well off
  well off

  In fortunate circumstances, especially wealthy or prosperous, as in They're quite well off now. This phrase may be a shortening of come well off, that is, “emerge in good circumstances.” [First half of 1600s]

well-off

American  

[wel-awf, -of] / ˈwɛlˈɔf, -ˈɒf /

adjective

1. having sufficient money for comfortable living; well-to-do.

   Synonyms:

   comfortable, affluent, wealthy, prosperous

2. in a satisfactory, favorable, or good position or condition.

   If you have your health, you are well-off.

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well-off British  

adjective

1. in a comfortable or favourable position or state

2. financially well provided for; moderately rich

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well off Idioms  

1. In fortunate circumstances, especially wealthy or prosperous, as in They're quite well off now. This phrase may be a shortening of come well off, that is, “emerge in good circumstances.” [First half of 1600s]

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Etymology

Origin of well-off

First recorded in 1725–35

Example Sentences

A government press release said the strategy would aim to address an "over-representation of people from more well-off backgrounds" in the civil service.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

At a time when the affordability crisis is hitting even well-off Americans, baby boomers are one cohort that is shrugging off the increased cost of living.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Both were left well-off when their father died unexpectedly.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

The surging costs are eating an outsize share of low- and middle-income consumers’ paychecks, darkening their outlook relative to the well-off.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

So they came under the care of Tom Bombadil for a while, and were well-off.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Related Words

• affluent
• prosperous
• well-to-do