Well-being: Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：state of happiness and health (well-being)

well-being 🔊

/ˌwel ˈbiːɪŋ/

The good feeling you have when your body is healthy, your mind is calm, and your life feels satisfying.

Well-being illustrated by a person meditating peacefully at sunrise on a hilltop

state of happiness and health 🔊

➕

/steɪt əv ˈhæpɪnəs ənd helθ/

A comprehensive state where one experiences physical health, mental calmness, and overall life satisfaction.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Compound of 'well' (good) and 'being' (state of existence).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'well' means good, 'being' means life; together, it's a good, healthy life.

📖 Example

For me, turning off my phone on weekends and enjoying a good book in the sunshine greatly improves my well-being. 🔊 Disconnecting from my phone on weekends and reading in the sun significantly enhances my state of happiness and health.

🔗 Collocations

physical well-being – the state of being physically healthy and fit

mental well-being – the state of being mentally healthy, calm, and emotionally stable

overall well-being – the general state of health and happiness in all aspects of life

🔄 Synonyms

wellness (n.) – the state of being in good health, often actively maintained through lifestyle choices

happiness (n.) – the feeling or state of being happy and content

contentment (n.) – a state of satisfaction and peaceful happiness

🚫 Antonyms

distress (n.) – extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain that affects one's state of being

misery (n.) – a state of great unhappiness and suffering

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Middle English, 'well-being' combines 'well' (good) and 'being' (existence). It is now a key term in psychology and public health for holistic health.