Acceptably vs. Well — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 3, 2023
"Acceptably" denotes performing to a satisfactory or adequate level, while "well" implies performing proficiently, skillfully, or excellently.
Difference Between Acceptably and Well
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Acceptably" and "well" are adverbs describing the manner of performance but have differing degrees of proficiency and excellence. "Acceptably" suggests a level of performance that meets the minimum standards or expectations; it denotes sufficiency and adequateness without necessarily implying superiority or excellence. It’s the level of performance or quality that is satisfactory and adequate, indicating compliance with the acceptable norms or standards. In contrast, "well" signifies a high degree of proficiency, skill, or excellence in performance. It implies effectiveness, aptitude, and accomplishment, often exceeding the basic requirements or standards.
While "acceptably" conveys adequacy and sufficiency, "well" conveys proficiency and skillfulness. "Acceptably" implies that the performance or quality is good enough to meet the required standards but does not necessarily exceed them. It indicates that something is done to a satisfactory level, avoiding errors or flaws that would make it unacceptable. On the other hand, "well" implies that something is done with skill, expertise, or proficiency, often exceeding the basic requirements or expectations. It denotes a level of performance or quality that is commendable and praiseworthy, reflecting capability and competence.
"Acceptably" emphasizes conformity to standards and norms, ensuring that something is done to a level that is satisfactory and permissible. It is about meeting the criteria or expectations without necessarily surpassing them. "Well," however, emphasizes the attainment of a high standard of performance or quality, reflecting excellence and superiority. It is about surpassing the basic criteria or expectations, achieving a level of performance or quality that is distinguished and exemplary.
In usage, "acceptably" may often be associated with a sense of mediocrity or mere sufficiency, where the performance or quality is just good enough to pass or be accepted. It does not reflect distinction or excellence but rather adequateness and permissibility. Conversely, "well" is associated with a sense of achievement and excellence, where the performance or quality is notably high, reflecting capability and mastery.
Comparison Chart
Degree of Proficiency
Satisfactory or adequate level
Proficient, skillful, or excellent level
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Connotation
Adequacy, sufficiency, and conformity to standards
Proficiency, excellence, and attainment of high standard
Emphasis
Meeting the standards or expectations
Surpassing the standards or expectations
Association
Mediocrity or mere sufficiency
Achievement and excellence
Outcome
Performance or quality that is permissible and adequate
Performance or quality that is commendable and distinguished
Compare with Definitions
Acceptably
Acceptably means performing to a satisfactory or adequate level.
The task was completed acceptably with no major errors.
Well
Well denotes a high degree of competence or capability in performance.
He did exceptionally well in the examination, scoring the highest marks.
Acceptably
Acceptably implies sufficiency and adequateness without necessarily implying superiority.
The food was acceptably good but not outstanding.
Well
Well signifies achieving or exceeding the required or expected standards.
The plan worked out well, yielding the desired results.
Acceptably
Acceptably denotes compliance with acceptable norms or standards.
The project was acceptably managed, meeting the basic requirements.
Well
Well represents a commendable and praiseworthy level of performance or quality.
The cake turned out well, pleasing all the guests.
Acceptably
Acceptably signifies a level of quality or performance that is satisfactory and permissible.
The work was done acceptably, fulfilling the minimum criteria.
Well
A deep hole or shaft sunk into the earth to obtain water, oil, gas, or brine.
Acceptably
Acceptably represents adequateness and permissibility in performance or quality.
The repairs were done acceptably, fixing the immediate issues.
Well
A container or reservoir for a liquid, such as ink.
Acceptably
Adequate to satisfy a need, requirement, or standard; satisfactory
An acceptable excuse.
Acceptable behavior.
Well
A place where water issues from the earth; a spring or fountain.
Acceptably
Satisfactory but not superior; passable
The restaurant was acceptable but did not live up to its reputation.
Well
A mineral spring.
Acceptably
In an acceptable manner; in a manner to please or give satisfaction.
Well
Wells A watering place; a spa.
Acceptably
To an acceptable degree.
Well
An abundant source
A well of information.
Acceptably
In an acceptable manner; in a manner to please or give satisfaction.
Well
An open space extending vertically through the floors of a building, as for stairs or ventilation.
Acceptably
In an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner;
She plays tennis tolerably
Well
An enclosure in a ship's hold for the pumps.
Well
A compartment or recessed area in a ship, used for stowage
An anchor well.
Well
A part of a ship's weather deck enclosed between two watertight bulkheads.
Well
A cistern with a perforated bottom in the hold of a fishing vessel for keeping fish alive.
Well
An enclosed space for receiving and holding something, such as the wheels of an airplane when retracted.
Well
Chiefly British The central space in a law court, directly in front of the judge's bench, where the counsel or solicitor sits.
Well
To rise to the surface, ready to flow
Tears welled in my eyes.
Well
To rise or surge from an inner source
Anger welled up in me.
Well
To pour forth.
Well
In a good or proper manner
Behaved well.
Well
Skillfully or proficiently
Dances well.
Well
Satisfactorily or sufficiently
Slept well.
Well
Successfully or effectively
Gets along well with people.
Well
In a comfortable or affluent manner
Lived well.
Well
In a manner affording benefit or gain; advantageously
Married well.
Well
With reason or propriety; reasonably
Can't very well say no.
Well
In all likelihood; indeed
You may well need your umbrella.
Well
In a prudent or sensible manner
You would do well to say nothing more.
Well
In a close or familiar manner
Knew them well.
Well
In a favorable or approving manner
Spoke well of them.
Well
Thoroughly; completely
Well cooked.
Cooked well.
Well
Perfectly; clearly
I well understand your intentions.
Well
To a suitable or appropriate degree
This product will answer your needs equally well.
Well
To a considerable extent or degree
Well over the estimate.
Well
With care or attention
Listened well.
Well
Entirely; fully
Well worth seeing.
Well
In a satisfactory condition; right or proper
All is well.
Well
Not ailing, infirm, or diseased; healthy.
Well
Cured or healed, as a wound.
Well
Of or characterized by the maintenance of good health practices. Often used in combination
A well-baby clinic.
A well-child visit to the doctor.
Well
Advisable; prudent
It would be well not to ask.
Well
Fortunate; good
It is well that you stayed.
Well
Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation.
Well
Used to express surprise.
Well
(manner) Accurately, competently, satisfactorily.
He does his job well.
Well
(manner) Completely, fully.
A well done steak
We’re well beat now.
Well
(degree) To a significant degree.
That author is well known.
A monument well worth seeing
Well
Very (as a general-purpose intensifier).
Well
In a desirable manner; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favourably; advantageously.
Well
In good health.
I had been sick, but now I'm well.
Well
(hypercorrect) Good, content.
“How are you?” — “I'm well, thank you!”
Well
(uncommon) Prudent; good; well-advised.
Well
Good to eat; tasty, delicious.
Well
(Hiberno-English) Used as a greeting
Well lads. How's things?
Well
A hole sunk into the ground as a source of water, oil, natural gas or other fluids.
Well
A place where a liquid such as water surfaces naturally; a spring.
Well
A small depression suitable for holding liquid or other objects.
Make a well in the dough mixture and pour in the milk.
Well
(figurative) A source of supply.
Well
(nautical) A vertical, cylindrical trunk in a ship, reaching down to the lowest part of the hull, through which the bilge pumps operate.
Well
(nautical) The cockpit of a sailboat.
Well
(nautical) A compartment in the middle of the hold of a fishing vessel, made tight at the sides, but having holes perforated in the bottom to let in water to keep fish alive while they are transported to market.
Well
(nautical) A vertical passage in the stern into which an auxiliary screw propeller may be drawn up out of the water.
Well
(military) A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.
Well
(architecture) An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.
Well
The open space between the bench and the counsel tables in a courtroom.
Well
(metalworking) The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.
Well
A well drink.
They're having a special tonight: $1 wells.
Well
(video games) The playfield of Tetris and similar video games, into which the blocks fall.
Well
(biology) In a microtiter plate, each of the small equal circular or square sections which serve as test tubes.
Well
(intransitive) To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
Well
(intransitive) To have something seep out of the surface.
Her eyes welled with tears.
Well
An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain.
Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well.
Well
A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to reach a supply of water, generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled with stone or bricks to prevent the earth from caving in.
The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep.
Well
A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine.
Well
Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring.
Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled.
A well of serious thought and pure.
Well
An inclosure in the middle of a vessel's hold, around the pumps, from the bottom to the lower deck, to preserve the pumps from damage and facilitate their inspection.
Well
A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.
Well
An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.
Well
The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.
Well
To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
From his two springs in Gojam's sunny realm,Pure welling out, he through the lucid lakeOf fair Dambea rolls his infant streams.
Well
To pour forth, as from a well.
Well
In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or wickedly.
If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.
Well
Suitably to one's condition, to the occasion, or to a proposed end or use; suitably; abundantly; fully; adequately; thoroughly.
Lot . . . beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere.
WE are wellable to overcome it.
She looketh well to the ways of her household.
Servant of God, well done! well hast thou foughtThe better fight.
Well
Fully or about; - used with numbers.
Well nine and twenty in a company.
Well
In such manner as is desirable; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favorably; advantageously; conveniently.
KnowIn measure what the mind may well contain.
All the world speaks well of you.
Well
Considerably; not a little; far.
Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age.
Well
Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a natural or moral sense; fortunate; convenient; advantageous; happy; as, it is well for the country that the crops did not fail; it is well that the mistake was discovered.
It was well with us in Egypt.
Well
Being in health; sound in body; not ailing, diseased, or sick; healthy; as, a well man; the patient is perfectly well.
Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake?
Well
Being in favor; favored; fortunate.
He followed the fortunes of that family, and was well with Henry the Fourth.
Well
Safe; as, a chip warranted well at a certain day and place.
Well
A deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine
Well
A cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
Well
An abundant source;
She was a well of information
Well
An open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)
Well
An enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding something as e.g. fish or a plane's landing gear or for protecting something as e.g. a ship's pumps
Well
Come up;
Tears well in her eyes
Well
In good health especially after having suffered illness or injury;
Appears to be entirely well
The wound is nearly well
A well man
I think I'm well; at least I feel well
Well
Resulting favorably;
Its a good thing that I wasn't there
It is good that you stayed
It is well that no one saw you
All's well that ends well
Well
Wise or advantageous and hence advisable;
It would be well to start early
Well
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well');
The children behaved well
A task well done
The party went well
He slept well
A well-argued thesis
A well-planned party
The baby can walk pretty good
Well
Thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form;
The problem is well understood
She was well informed
Shake well before using
In order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked
Well-done beef
Well-satisfied customers
Well-educated
Well
Indicating high probability; in all likelihood;
I might well do it
A mistake that could easily have ended in disaster
You may well need your umbrella
He could equally well be trying to deceive us
Well
(used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully;
A book well worth reading
Was well aware of the difficulties ahead
Suspected only too well what might be going on
Well
To a suitable or appropriate extent or degree;
The project was well underway
The fetus has well developed organs
His father was well pleased with his grades
Well
Favorably; with approval;
Their neighbors spoke well of them
He thought well of the book
Well
To a great extent or degree;
I'm afraid the film was well over budget
Painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger
The house has fallen considerably in value
The price went up substantially
Well
With great or especially intimate knowledge;
We knew them well
Well
With prudence or propriety;
You would do well to say nothing more
Could not well refuse
Well
With skill or in a pleasing manner;
She dances well
He writes well
Well
In a manner affording benefit or advantage;
She married well
The children were settled advantageously in Seattle
Well
In financial comfort;
They live well
She has been able to live comfortably since her husband died
Well
Without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor;
Took the joke well
Took the tragic news well
Well
Well means performing something with skill, proficiency, or excellence.
She plays the piano well, captivating her audience.
Well
Well implies effectiveness and aptitude in carrying out a task or action.
The team worked well together, completing the project ahead of schedule.
Common Curiosities
What does "acceptably" signify in performance?
"Acceptably" signifies performing to a satisfactory or adequate level, meeting minimum standards or expectations.
Does "well" imply achievement and mastery?
Absolutely, "well" implies a high degree of achievement, competence, and mastery in performance or execution.
Can "acceptably" imply mediocrity?
Yes, "acceptably" can often imply a sense of mediocrity or mere sufficiency, indicating adequacy but not excellence.
Can "acceptably" reflect adequateness and permissibility?
Certainly, "acceptably" reflects adequateness and permissibility in performance or quality, ensuring conformity to standards.
How is "well" different in representing performance?
"Well" represents performing with proficiency, skill, or excellence, often exceeding minimum standards or expectations.
Is "acceptably" about meeting the required standards?
Yes, "acceptably" emphasizes meeting the required standards or expectations without necessarily surpassing them.
Does "well" reflect commendable and distinguished performance?
Yes, "well" reflects a commendable and distinguished level of performance or quality, earning praise and recognition.
Can "well" denote exceeding the required standards?
Yes, "well" denotes exceeding the required or expected standards, reflecting high capability and excellence.
Is "acceptably" associated with satisfactory performance?
Yes, "acceptably" is associated with performance or quality that is satisfactory and adequate, meeting the basic criteria.
Is "well" associated with superior and exemplary performance?
Indeed, "well" is associated with superior and exemplary performance, indicating proficiency and excellence.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
