Cool MateThoroughly vs Well
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Thoroughly
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Well
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
Most common: Well
| Thoroughly | Well | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈθʌrəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈθɜːrəli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/wel/","/ˈbetə(r)/","/best/"]/🇺🇸 /["/wel/","/ˈbetər/","/best/"]/ |
| Meaning | In a detailed and complete way. | In a good way or in a satisfactory manner. |
| Example | We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. | She sings well in front of an audience. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | thoroughly enjoy, thoroughly check, thoroughly understand, thoroughly investigate, thoroughly cleanse | do well, feel well, perform well, well done |
| Antonyms | superficially, partially, incompletely | poorly |
| Common mistakes | Using 'through' instead of 'thoroughly'., Confusing it with 'thorough', which is an adjective., Misplacing it in a sentence or using it in informal contexts. | Confused with 'good' vs 'well', Using 'well' as a noun incorrectly, Saying 'good' instead of 'well' when describing how something is done |
| Usage notes | Use this word to describe actions done completely and carefully. It's suitable in both speaking and writing. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler words like 'really' or 'very' may be more common. | Use 'well' to describe actions done satisfactorily. In formal contexts, it fits well, while in casual conversation, it can be used to express general approval. |
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Frequently asked questions: Thoroughly vs Well
What's the difference between Thoroughly and Well?
Thoroughly: In a detailed and complete way. Well: In a good way or in a satisfactory manner.
Which is more common: Thoroughly and Well?
Well is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Thoroughly and Well?
Thoroughly is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Thoroughly and Well the same CEFR level?
Thoroughly: B2, Well: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Thoroughly and Well?
Thoroughly: adverb, Well: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Thoroughly: We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Well: She sings well in front of an audience.
Can I use Thoroughly and Well interchangeably?
Not always. Thoroughly and Well are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.