Wel vs. Well — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 21, 2024
"Wel" is incorrect, whereas "Well," signifying a water source or a healthy state, is correct.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Wel or Well
How to spell Well?
Wel
Incorrect Spelling
Well
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Associate “Well” with “Swell” to keep the double “l” in mind.
Picture a “Well” as needing two L’s to pull water up.
Remember “All’s well that ends well” – two L’s in each “well.”
Recall “Well” as wellness’s start and "wel" lacks wellness due to one "l".
Link “Well” to “Bell” both having double "l" at the end.
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How Do You Spell Well Correctly?
Incorrect: The project turned out wel.
Correct: The project turned out well.
Incorrect: He did very wel in the exam.
Correct: He did very well in the exam.
Incorrect: She sings very wel.
Correct: She sings very well.
Incorrect: He speaks English very wel.
Correct: He speaks English very well.
Incorrect: I hope you get wel soon.
Correct: I hope you get well soon.
Well Definitions
A deep hole for obtaining water.
They drew water from the well.
An expression of surprise.
Well, look who’s here!
A deep hole or shaft sunk into the earth to obtain water, oil, gas, or brine.
A container or reservoir for a liquid, such as ink.
A place where water issues from the earth; a spring or fountain.
A mineral spring.
Wells A watering place; a spa.
An abundant source
A well of information.
An open space extending vertically through the floors of a building, as for stairs or ventilation.
An enclosure in a ship's hold for the pumps.
A compartment or recessed area in a ship, used for stowage
An anchor well.
A part of a ship's weather deck enclosed between two watertight bulkheads.
A cistern with a perforated bottom in the hold of a fishing vessel for keeping fish alive.
An enclosed space for receiving and holding something, such as the wheels of an airplane when retracted.
Chiefly British The central space in a law court, directly in front of the judge's bench, where the counsel or solicitor sits.
To rise to the surface, ready to flow
Tears welled in my eyes.
To rise or surge from an inner source
Anger welled up in me.
To pour forth.
In a good or proper manner
Behaved well.
Skillfully or proficiently
Dances well.
Satisfactorily or sufficiently
Slept well.
Successfully or effectively
Gets along well with people.
In a comfortable or affluent manner
Lived well.
In a manner affording benefit or gain; advantageously
Married well.
With reason or propriety; reasonably
Can't very well say no.
In all likelihood; indeed
You may well need your umbrella.
In a prudent or sensible manner
You would do well to say nothing more.
In a close or familiar manner
Knew them well.
In a favorable or approving manner
Spoke well of them.
Thoroughly; completely
Well cooked.
Cooked well.
Perfectly; clearly
I well understand your intentions.
To a suitable or appropriate degree
This product will answer your needs equally well.
To a considerable extent or degree
Well over the estimate.
With care or attention
Listened well.
Entirely; fully
Well worth seeing.
In a satisfactory condition; right or proper
All is well.
Not ailing, infirm, or diseased; healthy.
Cured or healed, as a wound.
Of or characterized by the maintenance of good health practices. Often used in combination
A well-baby clinic.
A well-child visit to the doctor.
Advisable; prudent
It would be well not to ask.
Fortunate; good
It is well that you stayed.
Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation.
Used to express surprise.
(manner) Accurately, competently, satisfactorily.
He does his job well.
(manner) Completely, fully.
A well done steak
We’re well beat now.
(degree) To a significant degree.
That author is well known.
A monument well worth seeing
Very (as a general-purpose intensifier).
In a desirable manner; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favourably; advantageously.
In good health.
I had been sick, but now I'm well.
(hypercorrect) Good, content.
“How are you?” — “I'm well, thank you!”
(uncommon) Prudent; good; well-advised.
Good to eat; tasty, delicious.
(Hiberno-English) Used as a greeting
Well lads. How's things?
A hole sunk into the ground as a source of water, oil, natural gas or other fluids.
A place where a liquid such as water surfaces naturally; a spring.
A small depression suitable for holding liquid or other objects.
Make a well in the dough mixture and pour in the milk.
(figurative) A source of supply.
(nautical) A vertical, cylindrical trunk in a ship, reaching down to the lowest part of the hull, through which the bilge pumps operate.
(nautical) The cockpit of a sailboat.
(nautical) A compartment in the middle of the hold of a fishing vessel, made tight at the sides, but having holes perforated in the bottom to let in water to keep fish alive while they are transported to market.
(nautical) A vertical passage in the stern into which an auxiliary screw propeller may be drawn up out of the water.
(military) A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.
(architecture) An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.
The open space between the bench and the counsel tables in a courtroom.
(metalworking) The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.
A well drink.
They're having a special tonight: $1 wells.
(video games) The playfield of Tetris and similar video games, into which the blocks fall.
(biology) In a microtiter plate, each of the small equal circular or square sections which serve as test tubes.
(intransitive) To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
(intransitive) To have something seep out of the surface.
Her eyes welled with tears.
An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain.
Begin, then, sisters of the sacred well.
A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to reach a supply of water, generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled with stone or bricks to prevent the earth from caving in.
The woman said unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep.
A shaft made in the earth to obtain oil or brine.
Fig.: A source of supply; fountain; wellspring.
Dan Chaucer, well of English undefiled.
A well of serious thought and pure.
An inclosure in the middle of a vessel's hold, around the pumps, from the bottom to the lower deck, to preserve the pumps from damage and facilitate their inspection.
A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.
An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.
The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.
To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
From his two springs in Gojam's sunny realm,Pure welling out, he through the lucid lakeOf fair Dambea rolls his infant streams.
To pour forth, as from a well.
In a good or proper manner; justly; rightly; not ill or wickedly.
If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.
Suitably to one's condition, to the occasion, or to a proposed end or use; suitably; abundantly; fully; adequately; thoroughly.
Lot . . . beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere.
WE are wellable to overcome it.
She looketh well to the ways of her household.
Servant of God, well done! well hast thou foughtThe better fight.
Fully or about; - used with numbers.
Well nine and twenty in a company.
In such manner as is desirable; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favorably; advantageously; conveniently.
KnowIn measure what the mind may well contain.
All the world speaks well of you.
Considerably; not a little; far.
Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age.
Good in condition or circumstances; desirable, either in a natural or moral sense; fortunate; convenient; advantageous; happy; as, it is well for the country that the crops did not fail; it is well that the mistake was discovered.
It was well with us in Egypt.
Being in health; sound in body; not ailing, diseased, or sick; healthy; as, a well man; the patient is perfectly well.
Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake?
Being in favor; favored; fortunate.
He followed the fortunes of that family, and was well with Henry the Fourth.
Safe; as, a chip warranted well at a certain day and place.
A deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine
A cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
An abundant source;
She was a well of information
An open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)
An enclosed compartment in a ship or plane for holding something as e.g. fish or a plane's landing gear or for protecting something as e.g. a ship's pumps
Come up;
Tears well in her eyes
In good health especially after having suffered illness or injury;
Appears to be entirely well
The wound is nearly well
A well man
I think I'm well; at least I feel well
Resulting favorably;
Its a good thing that I wasn't there
It is good that you stayed
It is well that no one saw you
All's well that ends well
Wise or advantageous and hence advisable;
It would be well to start early
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well');
The children behaved well
A task well done
The party went well
He slept well
A well-argued thesis
A well-planned party
The baby can walk pretty good
Thoroughly or completely; fully; often used as a combining form;
The problem is well understood
She was well informed
Shake well before using
In order to avoid food poisoning be sure the meat is well cooked
Well-done beef
Well-satisfied customers
Well-educated
Indicating high probability; in all likelihood;
I might well do it
A mistake that could easily have ended in disaster
You may well need your umbrella
He could equally well be trying to deceive us
(used for emphasis or as an intensifier) entirely or fully;
A book well worth reading
Was well aware of the difficulties ahead
Suspected only too well what might be going on
To a suitable or appropriate extent or degree;
The project was well underway
The fetus has well developed organs
His father was well pleased with his grades
Favorably; with approval;
Their neighbors spoke well of them
He thought well of the book
To a great extent or degree;
I'm afraid the film was well over budget
Painting the room white made it seem considerably (or substantially) larger
The house has fallen considerably in value
The price went up substantially
With great or especially intimate knowledge;
We knew them well
With prudence or propriety;
You would do well to say nothing more
Could not well refuse
With skill or in a pleasing manner;
She dances well
He writes well
In a manner affording benefit or advantage;
She married well
The children were settled advantageously in Seattle
In financial comfort;
They live well
She has been able to live comfortably since her husband died
Without unusual distress or resentment; with good humor;
Took the joke well
Took the tragic news well
In a satisfactory manner.
She plays the piano well.
A healthy state.
He recovered well after surgery.
Suitable or appropriate.
All’s well that ends well.
Well Meaning in a Sentence
She did well on her test after studying hard.
The well in the village provides fresh water.
He plays the guitar well, captivating his audience.
The garden well is over a hundred years old.
He can run well despite his age.
To be well-prepared, she reviewed all her notes.
To ensure the cake bakes well, check the temperature.
The well water was surprisingly clear and clean.
The ancient well is believed to be magical.
He described his journey well, with vivid details.
The story ended well, leaving everyone satisfied.
To communicate well, listen as much as you talk.
The well was decorated with flowers for the festival.
The documentary covered the topic well, providing new insights.
She knows the city well, having lived there for years.
To stay well during flu season, wash your hands often.
He recovered well from the surgery.
To perform well, athletes must train consistently.
She negotiated well, securing a good deal.
To sleep well, avoid caffeine before bedtime.
To age well, maintain a healthy lifestyle.
He explained the process well, leaving no questions unanswered.
The children played well together, without arguing.
He understands the material well, thanks to his study habits.
Well-being is essential for a happy life.
Well Idioms & Phrases
Well off
To be in a favorable condition or situation, especially financially.
After years of hard work, they are quite well off and can afford to travel whenever they want.
Well and truly
Completely or thoroughly.
After the storm passed, their garden was well and truly flooded.
All's well that ends well
If the outcome of a situation is happy, this compensates for any previous difficulty or problem.
Despite the challenges they faced on the trip, all's well that ends well, as they made it home safely.
Might as well
To suggest doing something because there is no good reason not to.
Since we're already in town, we might as well see a movie.
Common Curiosities
What is the plural form of Well?
"Wells."
Why is it called Well?
The term originates from Old English "wella."
Which vowel is used before Well?
"A" can be used (a well).
What is the singular form of Well?
"Well."
Is Well an adverb?
Yes.
What is the pronunciation of Well?
Pronounced as [wel].
What is the root word of Well?
Old English root "wella" or "weallan" (to boil, to well up).
Which article is used with Well?
"The" (the well).
Is Well a noun or adjective?
It can be both, depending on context.
Which preposition is used with Well?
"In" (well in).
What is the verb form of Well?
"Well" as a verb means to emanate fluid.
Which conjunction is used with Well?
"And" can be used (well and truly).
Is Well a countable noun?
Yes, when referring to a water source.
Is Well a collective noun?
No.
What is a stressed syllable in Well?
"Well" is stressed as a whole.
Is Well a vowel or consonant?
It is a word consisting of both vowels and consonants.
What part of speech is Well?
It can be a noun, adjective, adverb, or interjection.
What is another term for Well?
Source or adequately.
What is the first form of Well?
"Well" (as a verb).
Is Well an abstract noun?
No.
Is the word Well is Gerund?
No.
Is the word “Well” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be a direct object.
Which determiner is used with Well?
"This" (this well).
What is the third form of Well?
"Welled" (as a verb).
Is Well a negative or positive word?
Neutral; context-dependent.
Is the Well term a metaphor?
Can be, as in “a well of emotions.”
How many syllables are in Well?
One.
Is the word Well is imperative?
Not usually.
How do we divide Well into syllables?
Not applicable as it's one syllable.
What is the opposite of Well?
Ill or poorly.
What is the second form of Well?
"Welled" (as a verb).
How is Well used in a sentence?
Example: She performed well on the test.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
