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well

well

12 2.2
A large source of useful things like ideas
  • noun
  • /wɛl/
translation icon : 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
7 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

29 4.4

A situation where there is not enough of something people need

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 Abundant

reservoir
18 4.7
well
12 2.2
fount
4 8.0
supply
346 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.