Jump To:

• well-preserved
  well-preserved

  adjective

  having been maintained in good condition; preserving a good or healthy appearance.
• well preserved
  well preserved

  Aging gracefully, still in good condition, as in I can't believe she's 65; she's certainly well preserved. [Mid-1800s]

well-preserved

American  

[wel-pri-zurvd] / ˈwɛl prɪˈzɜrvd /

adjective

1. having been maintained in good condition; preserving a good or healthy appearance.

   a well-preserved manuscript; a well-preserved elderly couple.

---

well-preserved British  

adjective

1. kept in a good condition

2. continuing to appear youthful

   she was a well-preserved old lady

---

well preserved Idioms  

1. Aging gracefully, still in good condition, as in I can't believe she's 65; she's certainly well preserved. [Mid-1800s]

---

Etymology

Origin of well-preserved

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Since then, his stunningly well-preserved remains have been kept at the same temperature -- minus six degrees Celsius -- as his icy tomb.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

"Through our study and examination of well-preserved fossils collected throughout the north Texas region, we have evidence of violence within this species to a degree not previously seen in other Tylosaurus specimens."

From Science Daily • May 23, 2026

"Based on exceptionally well-preserved fossil jaws, we show that these animals reached total lengths of up to nearly 20 meters, which may have surpassed the size of large marine reptiles of the same age."

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2026

Then go to Bilbao for its art museums, and to Vitoria-Gasteiz for Gothic cathedrals and well-preserved medieval quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

In the first half of the nineteenth century, owners of whaling ships amassed fortunes from oil and built the still well-preserved Federalist and Greek Revival mansions on upper Main Street.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Related Words

• unspoiled