: well-informed or deeply versed through reading
well-read in history

Examples of well-read in a Sentence

any well-read person would recognize the quotation
Recent Examples on the Web She’s always been so unbelievably well-read and politically savvy with the most hilarious sense of humor. Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 Well-loved and well-read copies of the book populate in countless children’s bedrooms. Amy Amatangelo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023 The Record, despite complaints from locals, remains well-read, even as readership dwindles at papers across the country. Kevin Draper, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023 Indeed, in my experience as an editor, the best prose stylists are invariably well-read. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 12 Aug. 2023 Reading the essays is like attending a concert with a friend who is exceptionally well-read and articulate. Terry W. Hartle, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 June 2023 Frank is emotionally intelligent, well-read, and articulate — an intellectual match for Queenie. Breanna Bell, Variety, 16 May 2023 The board is well-read, says Edwards. – Don’t contradict your colleagues. Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 17 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'well-read.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of well-read was in 1574

Dictionary Entries Near well-read

Cite this Entry

“Well-read.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/well-read. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

well-read

adjective
-ˈred
: well informed by much reading

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