Jump To:

• 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.

---

well-off British  

adjective

1. in a comfortable or favourable position or state

2. financially well provided for; moderately rich

---

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]

---

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

Morgan Stanley’s mortgage department exists to provide loans to its wealth-management clients, well-off individuals who are less likely to default in mass numbers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

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

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

Curtis worked as a superintendent in an apartment house in Manhattan and he and Minnie were well-off compared to most black folks who came up from the South, because they lived rent-free.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride

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

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

Oil prices are well off highs hit during the fiercest fighting last spring thanks to subdued demand from China, Japan, India and Europe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

They’re well off their 2025 highs, but the supply-demand situation in credit markets has remained fairly balanced.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

“Very well, off we go south,” was all he said as he got behind the steering wheel.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

Related Words

• affluent
• prosperous
• well-to-do