well-meaning

American

[wel-mee-ning] / ˈwɛlˈmi nɪŋ /

Also well-intentioned

adjective

meaning or intending well; having good intentions.

a well-meaning but tactless person.
Also well-meant proceeding from good intentions.

Her well-meaning words were received in silence.

well-meaning British

adjective

having or indicating good or benevolent intentions, usually with unfortunate results

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of well-meaning

A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Fellow cast member Andrew Agnew, best known as the well-meaning PC Plum, says "it's such an honour to be back doing something that we love so much".

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

There was lots of advice that, while well-meaning, grossly underestimated the magnitude of my predicament.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Meanwhile, the turkey — often dry, well-meaning, faintly ceremonial — recedes into the background.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

In fact, there is a great deal of well-meaning dark humor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

I still had practice, but I was keener to run around and deal with stress that way than I’d been to have well-meaning teachers not know what to say in my presence.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023