Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Well"

To sign 'well', leave the non-dominant hand at the chest area with the palm facing up. Bring the dominant hand up so the fingertips press your lips. Bring the dominant hand down so the back of the dominant hand rests against the palm of the non-dominant hand.

Examples Using "Well" in a Sentence

1

I am feeling very well today.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'feel', and then use the described sign for 'well', making sure your dominant hand moves smoothly from your lips down to rest on your non-dominant palm.

2

You did that very well.

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'do' or 'work', and finish with the sign for 'well'. You can land the back of your dominant hand firmly on your non-dominant palm to emphasize the praise.

3

Did you sleep well?

Sign 'you', then 'sleep', followed by the sign for 'well' starting at your lips and moving to your non-dominant hand. Don't forget to raise your eyebrows since this is a yes/no question!

How to Sign "Well"
To sign 'well', leave the non-dominant hand at the chest area with the palm facing up. Bring the dominant hand up so the fingertips press your lips. Bring the dominant hand down so the back of the dominant hand rests against the palm of the non-dominant hand.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is identical to the ASL sign for 'good.' The visual logic stems from the idea of tasting something pleasant or speaking positive words, which is why the dominant hand originates at the mouth. Moving the hand down from the lips to rest securely on the open palm represents presenting or establishing that positive, 'well' feeling as a solid, tangible fact.
Signing Tips
Focus on a smooth, natural movement. The dominant hand should travel in a clean, slight arc from the lips down to the non-dominant hand. Keep your non-dominant hand steady at chest level, acting as a solid base. To emphasize just how 'well' you are doing or feeling, you can make the movement slightly larger and land the hands together with a bit more crispness.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is bringing the non-dominant hand up to meet the dominant hand halfway. Make sure your non-dominant hand stays planted at chest level while the dominant hand does all the moving. Another common error is using the wrong palm orientation at the end—ensure the back of your dominant hand rests on the palm of your non-dominant hand, not palm-to-palm.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Well" in a Sentence
1

I am feeling very well today.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'feel', and then use the described sign for 'well', making sure your dominant hand moves smoothly from your lips down to rest on your non-dominant palm.

2

You did that very well.

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'do' or 'work', and finish with the sign for 'well'. You can land the back of your dominant hand firmly on your non-dominant palm to emphasize the praise.

3

Did you sleep well?

Sign 'you', then 'sleep', followed by the sign for 'well' starting at your lips and moving to your non-dominant hand. Don't forget to raise your eyebrows since this is a yes/no question!

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'well' the same as the sign for 'good'?

Yes! In ASL, the sign described here is used for both 'good' and 'well.' The exact meaning is easily understood based on the context of your sentence, such as whether you are describing a noun or how you are feeling.

How do I sign 'well' when it's used as a filler word, like 'Well, let me think...'?

The sign described here is only used for the adjective or adverb meaning 'healthy' or 'satisfactory.' If you are using 'well' as a conversational pause, you typically fingerspell W-E-L-L or use a thinking gesture instead.

Do I have to actually touch my lips when starting the sign?

While the traditional sign starts by lightly pressing the fingertips to the lips, many fluent signers simply bring their hand very close to the chin or mouth area. As a beginner, physically touching the lips helps build great muscle memory.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!