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well-bound

well-bound

5.4
A book with a strong, neat cover and spine that keep the pages together
  • adjective
  • /wɛl baʊnd/
translation icon : bien encuadernado
  • I prefer books that are well-bound so they last longer and can be read multiple times without damage.

Examples

  • This beautifully illustrated book is well-bound, making it perfect for display on a shelf.

  • The library offers a collection of well-bound classics that are both attractive and durable.

  • The cheap paper is brown with age, and the type is uneven; but it is a nice size and shape, and well bound.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The trend toward large publishers' printing graphic literature ensures the availability of well-bound resources across a large number of topics and reading and interest levels.

    Academic text (2006)

Antonyms

underbound
  • Specialized
9.3

Has less material or strength than usual so books fall apart

How Durable

well-bound
5.4
hardbound
1 3.5
underbound
  • Specialized
9.3
unbound
  • Specialized
1 7.2

Surface Forms

well-bound positive

Morphology

well-bound = bound (transparent) = well + bound + well

The adjective is directly formed by 'well' modifying 'bound' to mean 'bound in a good/strong way', which B1 learners can infer from the components.

Etymology

Well-bound comes from two simple parts: well ('good' or 'strong') and bound (from 'to bind', meaning 'to tie' or 'fasten'). So a well-bound book is one that is strongly and neatly held together, made to last.