Well has 27 different meanings across 5 categories:
a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine
"The old farmhouse still relies on its century-old well for drinking water during droughts."
a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid
"The old cistern, which served as a well for their livestock, was finally cleaned out after years of neglect."
an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway)
"The renovation exposed a narrow well between the second and third floors where the old staircase once stood."
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
"The captain ordered the crew to secure all sensitive instruments inside the reinforced well before docking at the harbor."
A hole sunk into the ground as a source of water, oil, natural gas or other fluids.
"After days without rain, we finally dug a deep well to find fresh drinking water for our farm animals."
In plain English: A well is a deep hole dug into the ground to reach and collect water.
"The well was deep and provided fresh water for the village."
To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
"The fresh water began to well up through a crack in the frozen ground after the heavy rain melted away."
In plain English: To well means for liquid to rise up and come out of something, like water bubbling over the edge of a cup.
"She felt well enough to go back to work after her illness."
Usage: Use this verb specifically when describing natural sources like springs or artesian wells releasing water upward into an open area rather than flowing through pipes or channels. It is often paired with prepositions such as "up" or "forth" to emphasize the direction of the emergence from underground.
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"
In good health.
"After taking some time off from work, I finally feel well enough to run a marathon."
In plain English: Well describes something that is in good condition or working properly.
"The team played very well in the championship game."
(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-seasoned dish"
"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"
(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"
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"
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"
Accurately, competently, satisfactorily.
"She did a well job of organizing the entire event without any last-minute chaos."
In plain English: Well describes doing something in a good way or successfully.
Used to acknowledge a statement or situation.
"Well, I guess we'll have to wait for the bus."
The word "well" comes from Middle English and Old English, where it originally meant "as wished" or "as desired." Its roots trace back to ancient languages that connected the idea of doing something well with having a strong desire for it.