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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

See Examples For:

well-off well off

"Naturally, sanctions affect people's lives. People are being hurt, both those who are financially well-off and those who are financially weak," said realtor Mehdi Yazdian, 55, who urged the authorities to control prices.

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

For now, beleaguered Fifa president Gianni Infantino still has some allies in world football, particularly in parts of the world where less well-off football associations have benefited from his presidency.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

They have enviable wealth and careers, except for one who’s relatively less well-off than the rest.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

And she underlines the fact that, when it comes to long-term care in the United States, only the relatively well-off have good choices.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Hector was from Diepkloof, which was the nice, well-off part of Soweto.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

The report warned the fall was greatest in those from "relatively well off" families.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

McLaren started this season well off the pace they had shown through 2024 and 2025 as they struggled to get on top of the new rules introduced to F1 this year.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Sellers, though, won’t be as well off as they could have been just a few weeks ago.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

France couldn’t even score into an open net, with Desire Doue lining a low shot right at a rapidly retreating Simón, who had come well off his line and left the goal unattended.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

Once she’d parked well off the roadside, she locked all the doors, climbed into the backseat, and wrapped herself in her old quilt.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Related Words

• affluent
• prosperous
• well-to-do