well-off
well-off — adjective
1. having enough money to live at a high standard of comfort and convenience, witho
having enough money to live at a high standard of comfort and convenience, without worrying about everyday costs
Asher's family is well‑off enough to send him to a private music school.
well-off + enough + to-infinitive
The new housing complex is designed for well‑off young professionals.
attributive use: well-off + noun
Although the Watanabe family was well‑off, they lived modestly and avoided unnecessary luxuries.
Rafael grew up in a well‑off neighbourhood with tree‑lined streets and large gardens.
Many scholarship programmes give priority to students from families that are not well‑off.
- wealthy
more formal and suggests a higher level of assets or property
- affluent
formal; often describes communities or areas rather than individuals
- prosperous
emphasises ongoing financial growth and success
用法筆記
Often used as a gentler or more indirect alternative to "rich". In formal writing, "affluent" or "wealthy" may be preferred.
常見錯誤
2. having a generous amount of something that is useful or needed, so that there is
having a generous amount of something that is useful or needed, so that there is more than enough available
The island is well‑off for fresh seafood, so the restaurants serve fish every day.
well-off + for [resource]
Lien's garden is well‑off with herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees.
well-off + with [items]
Hospitals in the capital are well‑off in medical equipment compared with rural clinics.
We are well‑off for time, so there is no need to rush.
- well supplied
more literal and less idiomatic
- abundant in
more formal; often used for natural resources
文法句型
well-off + for/with/in + noun phrase
3. in a favourable situation that brings advantages or benefits, especially when co
in a favourable situation that brings advantages or benefits, especially when compared with the situation of others
Ada is well‑off to have grandparents who live just around the corner.
well-off + to have [advantage]
The coastal town is well‑off compared with villages hit by the flood.
comparative: well-off compared with
I did not realise how well‑off I was until Marta described her daily struggle to pay rent.
You are well‑off if your job lets you spend plenty of time with your family.
- badly off
the direct opposite, meaning 'in a poor situation'
文法句型
well-off + to + verb
well-off + if-clause
well-off + compared with
用法筆記
Frequently used in comparisons ("better off", "worse off") and in the expression "you don't know how well-off you are" to remind someone to appreciate their situation.
常見錯誤
well-off — noun
1. people who are rich, considered together as a social or economic group
people who are rich, considered together as a social or economic group
The new tax policy places a heavier burden on the well‑off.
always 'the well-off' as a plural noun phrase
Private clinics in the city cater mainly to the well‑off.
The well‑off often have access to better legal advice than ordinary citizens.
A progressive tax system asks the well‑off to pay a larger share of their income.
- the rich
more direct and slightly blunter; very common
- the wealthy
more formal; suggests a higher level of assets
文法句型
the well-off
用法筆記
Used only with the definite article "the", functioning as a plural noun. It always takes a plural verb. It is not used in the singular ("a well-off" is incorrect).