Be Well-Off – Meaning and Examples

Do you know someone who never worries about money? Maybe they have a nice house or drive an expensive car. When a person is wealthy or has enough money to live comfortably, we say they are to be well-off. Learning this phrase will help you talk about people’s financial status in everyday English.

What Does “To Be Well-Off” Mean?

“To be well-off” means to have a lot of money or a comfortable amount of money. Think of it like being set up for life—you don’t have to struggle financially. It’s not about physically being “off” something; it simply means having good wealth or finances.

When to Use It

You can use this idiom in neutral and casual conversation. It’s perfect when you want to describe a person, family, or group that is financially secure. It’s generally a polite and common way to talk about wealth. You can use it about your friends, family, or people in the news.

Example Sentences

My neighbor must **be well-off**; they just bought a new boat.
After he started his own company, he became very **well-off**.
She doesn’t worry about her bills because her parents are **well-off**.
They are not millionaires, but they are certainly **well-off**.

Mini Dialogue

Maria: “I love Clara’s new apartment. It’s huge!”

Ben: “Yes, her family is quite **well-off**, so she doesn’t have to pay much rent.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The verb is always **to be**. Don’t use it as a verb itself (like “well-offing”). Also, remember the hyphen in **well-off** is important when using it as an adjective.

❌ Don’t say: “He well-offed his whole family.”
✅ Do say: “He **is well-off** now, so he helps his whole family.”

Practice Tip

Find an article online about a successful person. Try to replace any mention of “rich” or “wealthy” with the phrase “well-off.” This helps you see it used in context.

Final Note

You’ve learned a great new phrase! Now you know how **to be well-off** means having money and comfort. Don’t be afraid to use it when talking about people’s success. Keep practicing, and you’ll start using this idiom naturally!

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