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well

well

36 2.2
A large source of useful things like ideas
  • noun
  • /wɛl/
: fuente
  • The man's a deep well of ideas.

It's given me a deeper well to pull from as an actor.

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Examples

  • Ursula pulls herself up on an elbow, finding wells of energy from sheer indignation.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • I give you "The Well of Secrets".

  • Or did we all drink from the well of common cultural experience?

    Academic text (1996)
  • A 2-minute walk leads to Mary's Well, which was the only water source in Nazareth in ancient days.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Legend has it that an immortal who drinks from the well of life can kill her immortality and become mortal if her motives are pure.

  • Tanker trucks, for example, draw water from centuries-old wells to sell it for commercial landscape watering.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The researcher discovered a well of knowledge in the ancient manuscripts they studied.

  • The children's animation series taps into a well of creativity that has captivated young audiences for decades.

  • She found a well of inspiration in the stories of her grandmother's life experiences.

Synonyms

wellspring
vswell
7 7.2

A source of many ideas or strong feelings

is a general abundant source used metaphorically rather than stressing origin
fountainhead
vswell
  • Formal
2 8.7

A main source of new ideas and knowledge

is a general abundant source not necessarily original or creative

Antonyms

∞ 1.3

Not having something you need or want

31 4.4

A situation where there is not enough of something people need

Idioms

∞ 1.0

To add another thing or idea

∞ 1.0

In a fairly good way

259 1.0

Say this to show agreement or acceptance

Carefully planned to work well

16 6.7

Fine to say but not enough to help in real life

well and truly
  • Informal
8 3.7

Completely and without doubt

fare thee well
  • Archaic
8 9.9

A way to say goodbye and wish someone well

Words people say when a difficult situation ends well

6 9.1

Makes what someone says sound stronger to show anger or determination

6 3.2

To work well with other people in a team

4 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

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

Compounds

∞ 1.0

In addition to something else

442 3.5

Happening at the right moment to be useful

359 1.0

Familiar to many people and often talked about

289 1.8

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

176 2.4

A state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy

62 3.9

Has learned a lot and knows many things

50 2.4

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

38 3.4

Having enough money to live comfortably

36 1.2

A child or pet that acts politely and calmly

oil well
  • Specialized
29 2.8

A deep hole in the ground that brings up oil

24 4.2

People who have plenty of money and live comfortably

21 1.8

Neat and in good condition because someone looks after it

20 2.8

Polite and calm around other people

15 1.6

Cooked all the way through with no pink inside

14 3.4

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

12 2.9

Polite and respectful to other people

11 3.5

A person who wishes someone success and happiness

11 3.5

Neat and tidy in appearance with clean clothes and neat hair

A group or system in which all parts work together smoothly

10 7.2

Having a lot of money

gas well
  • Specialized
10 3.7

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

8 2.8

Water that comes from underground through a deep hole

ne'er-do-well
  • Offensive
8 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

6 4.1

Carefully picked to suit a situation or purpose

6 4.3

Organized neatly so things are easy to find

5 4.6

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

well-formed
  • Specialized
5 4.4

Correct according to grammar and normal language use

5 3.7

Happening at the best moment to be most useful

Liked and respected by many people

Soil that lets extra water drain away easily

fare-thee-well
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A very high level of quality that is almost perfect

artesian well
  • Specialized
1 4.9

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

1 7.7

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

drainage well
  • Specialized
1 5.5

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

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

stripper well
  • Specialized
1 9.6

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

1 9.9

Being friendly and cheerful when meeting people, sometimes too familiar

1 7.7

Having pleasing, polished language in words or sentences

Oiled so machines and moving parts work smoothly

1 5.3

Has a nice face that people like

tube well
  • Indian
1 4.8

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

1 3.0

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

driven well
  • Specialized
1 8.4

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

air well
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A vertical space in a building that lets fresh air move

wildcat well
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A well drilled to find oil in a new area

bilge well
  • Specialized
1 9.9

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

well point
  • Specialized
1 7.7

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

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

pump well
  • Specialized
1 9.9

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

1 6.8

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

How Abundant

reservoir
19 4.7
well
36 2.2
fount
4 8.0
supply
653 1.0
source
∞ 2.6

Surface Forms

well singular
wells plural

Etymology

Well meaning a rich source comes from the water well idea — a place you can draw from — so a 'well of ideas' is a steady, abundant source of inspiration or knowledge.