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

Energy regulator Ofgem will announce the next official quarterly price cap on Friday, with some charities concerned about how less well-off households and pensioners will cope during the colder months.

From BBC

It said individuals from less well-off backgrounds were being "inadvertently or deliberately shamed by more privileged students".

From BBC

Air travel emissions come disproportionately from the well-off.

From Los Angeles Times

Angela said she has wondered what makes someone who is well-off and not in financial difficulty mastermind such an elaborate fraud against their closest friend.

From BBC

The county’s residents tend to be older and less well-off than the state and nation as a whole.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affluent
• prosperous
• well-to-do