well

WEL/wɛl/

Adverbbetter, best

Adjectivebetter, weller, best, wellest

Noun pluralwells

Often confused with good

30 meanings of well

Practice

1
nicelyadverb
In a good or successful way, or the way you hoped.
She speaks Spanish well because she grew up in Mexico.
The car runs well on diesel.
UsageSay she speaks well (not ~~incorrect: speaks good~~).
Similarsatisfactorily, competently, nicely, properly, skillfully
Oppositebadly, poorly
2
adverb
Very much or by a large amount, as in 'well known' or 'well ahead'.
We got to the airport well before our flight.
It's well worth the trip.
UsageWrite a well-known singer, but the singer is well known.
Similarthoroughly, certainly, truly
Note
3
starting to talkinterjection
A word used to start an answer or a new part of a story.
Well, it all started when my brother found a lost puppy.
"What did you do today?" "Well, first I went to the park."
4
thoroughlyadverb
Completely or all the way.
I like my steak well done.
We were well beaten by the end.
UsageSay shake well or well done.
Similarthoroughly, completely, fully
Note
5
adjective
Healthy and feeling fine, or in a good state, as in 'all is well'.
My parents are well and send their love to all of you.
All is well here.
UsageBoth I'm well and I'm good are fine answers.
Similarfine, healthy, good, okay
Oppositeill, sick, unwell, poorly
6
deep holenouncountable
A deep hole dug in the ground to get water, oil, or gas.
The village had one well and everyone shared it.
They drilled a new oil well in the desert.
UsageYou dig or drill a well, and draw water from it.
Similarborehole
Note
7
interjection
Said when you pause or are unsure, or to make bad news or a disagreement sound softer.
Well, maybe we should wait until the rain stops.
Well, I thought it was good.
8
very (slang)adverbslangCommonwealthIrelandUK
Very, used in front of almost any describing word.
That film was well good.
My new trainers are well comfy for walking to school.
Similarreally, very, dead
Note

Less common meanings

9
adverb
Used after "may", "might" or "could" to say something is quite likely to happen or be true.
It may well rain this afternoon, so take an umbrella.
You could well be right about the date of the party.
UsageSay it may well rain.
Note
10
mock surpriseinterjection
Said to show surprise, sometimes joking and sometimes because you feel offended.
Well, look at you in your fancy new suit!
Well, well, look who finally showed up.
UsageSay well, well when you are surprised.
11
demanding answerinterjection
Said alone as a question to ask someone for an answer they have not given.
I asked you a question five minutes ago. Well? What's your answer?
Well? Are you going to explain?
Similarso
12
nouncountable
A place where water comes up out of the ground by itself, a spring.
Pilgrims still visit the holy well on the hill.
Nobody dug this well. The water just comes up out of the ground.
Similarspring, fountain
13
come to surfaceverbintransitive
When liquid such as water, blood, or tears rises up and starts to come out.
Water wells up from the rock here.
Blood began to well from the wound.
UsageSay her eyes welled up with tears.
Similarflow, pour, seep, ooze, gush
Note
14
rich sourcenounfigurativelycountable
A source that something comes from, like a well of ideas.
She is a well of good advice.
The library was a well of ideas for him.
UsageOften used as a deep well of something, and it can run dry.
Similarsource, reservoir, fount, store
Note
15
wiseadjective
Wise or sensible to do, usually in 'it is well to'.
It is well to check the weather before you sail.
It would be well for you to explain your choices.
UsageIn everyday talk, say it's a good idea to.
Similaradvisable, prudent, wise, sensible
Oppositeunwise, inadvisable
16
house drinknouncountable
In a bar, a cheap drink made with the house spirits.
Wells are a dollar tonight.
My brother always orders a well because he says top-shelf liquor is a waste of money.
UsageA well drink is cheaper than a top-shelf one.
17
small hollownouncountable
A small hollow space that holds liquid or something else.
Make a well in the flour and pour in the milk.
Ink collected in the well at the top of the desk.
Similarhollow, depression, cavity, hole
18
stair openingnouncountable
In a building, the open space that a staircase or elevator goes up through.
Light fell down the well of the staircase.
The elevator well runs the full height of the tower.
Similarshaft, stairwell
Note
19
courtroom floornouncountable
In a courtroom, the open floor between the judge's bench and the lawyers' tables.
The lawyer stepped into the well to address the judge.
Nobody crosses the well without the court's permission.
20
interjectionIreland
A way of saying hello and asking how someone is.
Well, Seán, good to see you. How's the family keeping?
Well, Mary, how are you keeping?
UsageSay well and the person's name to say hello.
Similarhello, hi
Note
21
adverb
For a good reason, in a way that makes sense because of what is going on.
I can't very well say no to my own grandmother.
The kids were proud of their science project, as well they should be.
UsageSay I can't very well say no.
Similarreasonably, rightly
22
noun
In Tetris and games like it, the tall box the blocks fall into.
23
noun
On a ship, a vertical shaft down to the bottom of the hull for the pumps.
24
noun
In military mining, a pit dug in the ground with tunnels running out from it.
25
noun
In a furnace, the lowest part, where the melted metal collects.
26
noun
On a computer screen, the strip where the tabs sit.
27
adjectivearchaic
Tasting good.
This wahoo tastes val.
1984, Peter A. Smith, Fred M. Barritt
28
noun
The place on a sailboat where people sit and steer.
29
noun
A tank in a fishing boat that keeps fish alive in seawater.
30
noun
A shaft at the back of a ship for raising its propeller clear of the water when sailing.

More uses

as wellalso, too
well upof a feeling or tears, to rise up and start to show
as well asand also, in addition to

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of well apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–5, 7–11, 15, 20–21

From Old English 'wel', meaning 'well'. It goes back to an old root meaning 'as wished' or 'as desired'.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Well derives from Old English wel, meaning well. en.wiktionary.org
Its ancestry includes an old form understood as meaning as wished or as desired. en.wikisource.org

Meanings 6, 12, 14, 16–19

From Old English 'wielle', meaning 'well'. It comes from an old root meaning 'to turn, wind, or roll'.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

The noun well derives from Old English wielle, meaning well. en.wiktionary.org
Its ultimate root meant to turn, wind, or roll. en.wiktionary.org

Meaning 13

From Middle English 'wellen', which came from Old English words meaning 'to boil'.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

The verb well derives from Middle English wellen. en.wiktionary.org
Its Old English ancestors meant to boil. en.wiktionary.org
The other Old English ancestor, weallan, also meant to boil. en.wiktionary.org