well-read

[wel-red]

adjective

1. having read extensively (sometimes followed byin ).

   well-read in oceanography.

well-read

/ ˈwɛlˈrɛd /

adjective

1. having read widely and intelligently; erudite

Word History and Origins

Origin of well-read¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

He was well-read and intelligent, but young and unproven.

Read more on Literature

Any well-read person is likely to consider the rise of the modern nation-state to be a distinctly mixed bag, as the history of the last two or three centuries has demonstrated.

Read more on Salon

He has been Joe Goldberg, the well-read manager of a New York City bookstore.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At the time, he spoke about “going from ignorance and denial to complete unconditional love and acceptance” and praised Kai as “brilliant” and the “most well-read, the smartest Wayans.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He is well-read on American history, comparing his own plight to that of the anti-Vietnam War protesters who were arrested for allegedly starting riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• bookish 
• educated 
• knowledgeable 
• literate 
• studious 
• well-informed