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• 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.

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well-preserved British  

adjective

1. kept in a good condition

2. continuing to appear youthful

   she was a well-preserved old lady

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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]

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Etymology

Origin of well-preserved

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

well-preserved well preserved

The eastern city of Baalbek has one of Lebanon's best-known landmarks: a stunningly well-preserved Roman temple complex set against the mountainous border with Syria.

From Barron's ● Aug. 29, 2026

In the parish seat—where the downtown is lined with well-preserved, historic buildings—Landry said the project will help keep Louisianians in Louisiana and stem the population loss that has plagued the state.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

The vessel was found piled high with hundreds of well-preserved containers, which were used to transport goods such as wine and olive oil.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

Bassist and singer Geddy Lee, his voice eerily well-preserved for a 72-year-old, rode the contours of these numbers with electrifying menace and character, justifying all the risks inherent in this reunion tour.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

The man looked well-preserved, but still like something that had been dead for a long while.

From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman

The study, published in Analytical Chemistry, examined an exceptionally well preserved Edmontosaurus sacrum weighing 22 kilograms.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

Mathieu Deldicque, director of the Conde Museum, where the headdress will go on display, said the find was a "true miracle", stressing that all of its parts were well preserved.

From Barron's ● Mar. 26, 2026

The well preserved skeleton came from the La Buitrera fossil area, a location that has produced many scientifically important discoveries.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 10, 2026

He continued: "It's well preserved and it really does feel like not much has changed... You could almost imagine you're here in mediaeval times, perhaps hearing of this young upcoming playwright called William something-or-other."

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2025

Odin's eye remains in Mimir’s well, preserved by the waters that feed the world ash, seeing nothing, seeing everything.

From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman

Related Words

• unspoiled