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well

well

118 2.0
A deep hole or space that holds water
  • noun
  • /wɛl/
translation icon : pozo
  • During the drought, the townsfolk relied on the wells scattered throughout the area.
  • water well
  • dig a well
  • drill a well

This gives us nice clean water for the inside loop and well water.

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Examples

  • The buyer drilled a half dozen more wells and, of course, struck oil.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • We drew water from the church; I mean from the well that stands where the church stands now.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • This gives us nice clean water for the inside loop and well water.

  • All the wells from this town feed from the same stream.

  • And they do a yearly trip to Africa... where they build wells and schools for kids.

  • When the stone was taken, the wells dried up and the river turned to sand.

  • Villages in eastern Iran are being abandoned as wells go dry, generating a flow of water refugees.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Villagers had traditionally gathered water from streambeds by digging shallow wells during the dry season.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The farmer dug a deep well to access fresh water for his crops.

  • In her backyard, she discovered an old well that once supplied the house with water.

Synonyms

pit
vswell
230 3.6

A large hole in the ground used for mining

is a deep shaft used to hold or access things rather than a broad open excavation
oil well
vswell
  • Specialized
19 2.8

A deep hole in the ground that brings up oil

is used more broadly for holding or reaching many substances or items
gas well
vswell
  • Specialized
8 3.7

A deep hole drilled in the ground to bring up natural gas

is a general deep hole for holding or accessing various materials
borehole
vswell
  • Specialized
4 6.8

A narrow hole drilled into the ground to find water or minerals

is a broader deep hole used to hold or access things not for study
wellbore
vswell
  • Specialized
4 7.4

A deep hole drilled in the ground to get oil, gas, or water

is a general deep hole for holding or accessing fluids or equipment
artesian well
vswell
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A well drilled through rock into water that rises to the surface from natural pressure

is a general deep hole that does not usually force water up
wellpoint
vswell
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A pipe with small holes driven into the ground to collect underground water for pumping or draining

is a deeper hole used to hold or access water or equipment
drainage well
vswell
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A hole that lets extra rain or water on the ground flow into the earth

is a general hole for holding or accessing things rather than just disposing water
driven well
vswell
  • Specialized
8.4

A hole made by driving a pipe into the ground to reach water

is a general deep hole made in various ways for many uses
tube well
vswell
  • Indian
4.8

A deep hole with a long metal pipe that brings water up from underground

is a general deep hole used to hold or access different things
well point
vswell
  • Specialized
7.7

A tube with small holes pushed into the ground to collect water from soil

is a deeper hole used to hold or access water or equipment
pump well
vswell
  • Specialized
9.9

A space in a ship's hold that protects the pumps

is a ground cavity for accessing or holding things, not a ship enclosure
bilge well
vswell
  • Specialized
9.9

A low space at the bottom of a ship where leaked water collects to be pumped out

is a ground cavity for holding or accessing things rather than a ship compartment
air well
vswell
  • Specialized
7.4

A vertical space in a building that lets fresh air move

is mainly a hole for holding or accessing materials or equipment rather than air flow
pithole
vswell
9.8

A hole that forms when wood decays or people dig the ground

is usually a constructed deep cavity for holding or accessing things rather than a natural hollow

Idioms

1.0

To add another thing or idea

919 1.0

In a fairly good way

203 1.0

Say this to show agreement or acceptance

Carefully planned to work well

well and truly
  • Informal
7 3.7

Completely and without doubt

5 3.2

To work well with other people in a team

fare thee well
  • Archaic
3 9.9

A way to say goodbye and wish someone well

3 6.1

To say you hope someone is healthy and doing well

To visit a trusted person or place to get help and supplies often

Being friendly and ready to help or support people and ideas

To succeed by helping others and acting fairly

1 6.7

Fine to say but not enough to help in real life

Words people say when a difficult situation ends well

9.1

Makes what someone says sound stronger to show anger or determination

Having a lot of money, people, and equipment to do its work

Compounds

1.0

In addition to something else

253 1.0

Familiar to many people and often talked about

178 2.4

A state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy

84 1.8

Of a high standard or, for meat, cooked until no pink remains

40 3.9

Has learned a lot and knows many things

33 3.4

Having enough money to live comfortably

29 2.4

Wearing neat, clean clothes that look smart, like a suit or nice shirt

25 2.8

Polite and calm around other people

22 4.2

People who have plenty of money and live comfortably

oil well
  • Specialized
19 2.8

A deep hole in the ground that brings up oil

12 1.6

Cooked all the way through with no pink inside

11 3.5

A person who wishes someone success and happiness

11 7.2

Having a lot of money

10 2.9

Polite and respectful to other people

9 3.5

Neat and tidy in appearance with clean clothes and neat hair

A group or system in which all parts work together smoothly

gas well
  • Specialized
8 3.7

A deep hole drilled in the ground to bring up natural gas

7 1.8

Neat and in good condition because someone looks after it

6 2.8

Water that comes from underground through a deep hole

ne'er-do-well
  • Offensive
5 9.9

A person who is lazy, irresponsible, and does not try to succeed

A card sent to someone who is ill to wish them a quick recovery

4 4.1

Carefully picked to suit a situation or purpose

well-formed
  • Specialized
3 4.4

Correct according to grammar and normal language use

3 4.6

A phrase or idea used so often that it is no longer interesting

2 4.3

Organized neatly so things are easy to find

Liked and respected by many people

artesian well
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A well drilled through rock into water that rises to the surface from natural pressure

1 3.5

Happening at the right moment to be useful

Soil that lets extra water drain away easily

drainage well
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A hole that lets extra rain or water on the ground flow into the earth

1 1.2

A child or pet that acts politely and calmly

stripper well
  • Specialized
1 9.6

An oil well near the end of its life that produces less than ten barrels a day

Oiled so machines and moving parts work smoothly

1 7.7

Having pleasing, polished language in words or sentences

1 3.7

Happening at the best moment to be most useful

1 3.4

Kind words and actions that show someone wants another person to be happy or successful

bilge well
  • Specialized
9.9

A low space at the bottom of a ship where leaked water collects to be pumped out

driven well
  • Specialized
8.4

A hole made by driving a pipe into the ground to reach water

air well
  • Specialized
7.4

A vertical space in a building that lets fresh air move

fare-thee-well
  • Archaic
9.9

A very high level of quality that is almost perfect

9.9

Being friendly and cheerful when meeting people, sometimes too familiar

pump well
  • Specialized
9.9

A space in a ship's hold that protects the pumps

tube well
  • Indian
4.8

A deep hole with a long metal pipe that brings water up from underground

well point
  • Specialized
7.7

A tube with small holes pushed into the ground to collect water from soil

Has a nice face that people like

A topic people use often in stories and films

Shoes with thick padding that make your feet more comfortable

A plan that runs smoothly and on time because it is well organized

A person with very little hair on the face or head after a recent shave

Having a graceful, attractive shape often used for body parts or sculptures

Having thick, soft padding and a neat cover that makes it comfortable

A chair for one person with soft thick cushions and a fabric cover that makes it very comfortable

wildcat well
  • Specialized
8.2

A well drilled to find oil in a new area

How Deep

borehole
  • Specialized
4 6.8
well
118 2.0
pit
230 3.6
hole
1.0

Surface Forms

well singular
wells plural

Etymology

Well as a noun for a deep hole comes from an old word for a water spring, so a well is literally a place where water comes up from the ground and is kept for use.