well-off

[wel-awf, -of]

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

adjective

1. in a comfortable or favourable position or state

2. financially well provided for; moderately rich

Word History and Origins

Origin of well-off¹

First recorded in 1725–35

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

The most well-off blacks tended to live on the periphery and were the first to leave the neighborhoods when they had acquired the means to do so.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She also said millionaires should be stripped of the state pension - and payments increased to the least well-off pensioners.

Read more on BBC

Lodging and travel costs have soared, amplifying concerns that the showcase has become a festival largely for the well-off.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

However, there were not enough new notes, leading to shortages and suffering by millions, particularly the less well-off, who rely on cash for their daily transactions.

Read more on BBC

The Scottish government had already launched its own winter fuel benefit in response to the original cuts which included extra support for those less well-off, but also a universal payment which is unaffected by income.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• affluent 
• prosperous 
• well-to-do