Learn How to Pronounce well

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well

Definition:

(nou) a deep hole or shaft dug or drilled to obtain water or oil or gas or brine (nou) a cavity or vessel used to contain liquid (nou) an abundant source (nou) an open shaft through the floors of a building (as for a stairway) (nou) 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

Phonetic Transcription:

wel

Examples:

The soul is the best of the living as well of the dead.

This poisoned the well, and merited deletion for the good of the project.

Her style probably can be best described as middlebrow as well.

Learn more about:
well

Related Words:

best

easy

good

How to perfect your pronunciation of: well

Learn Individual Sounds

Break well down into individual sounds such as wel. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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Pick an Accent

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Common mistakes of well pronunciation

Dropping the "w": Some learners pronounce "well" as "el" /ɛl/, omitting the initial "w" sound. This can lead to misunderstandings. Tip: Practice saying "w" /w/ by rounding your lips before producing the vowel sound.
Misplacing stress: Incorrectly stressing "well" as "WELL" /wɛl/ instead of its correct pronunciation can change its meaning or make it sound unnatural. Tip: Remember that "well" has primary stress on the first syllable, so keep it smooth and natural.
Confusing with "will": Some may confuse "well" /wɛl/ with "will" /wɪl/, leading to unclear communication. This is especially common in fast speech. Tip: Focus on the vowel sounds; "well" has an "e" sound, while "will" has a short "i" sound.
Overemphasizing the "l": Learners sometimes pronounce "well" with an exaggerated "l" sound, making it sound like "whell" /wɛl/. This can sound awkward. Tip: Keep the "l" sound soft and blend it smoothly with the preceding vowel.
Mispronouncing in connected speech: In rapid conversation, "well" can be mispronounced or slurred, sounding like "wha" /wə/ or "wuh" /wʌ/. Tip: Practice saying "well" clearly, even in fast speech, to maintain clarity.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "well" in American English?

In American English, "well" is pronounced as /wɛl/ with a single syllable and a short "e" sound, similar to the "e" in "bed." The stress is on the only syllable, making it clear and concise.

Is there a difference in the pronunciation of "well" between American and British English?

The pronunciation of "well" is quite similar in both American and British English, pronounced as /wɛl/. However, the accent may vary slightly, with British speakers sometimes sounding a bit more rounded.

What is the schwa sound in relation to "well"?

In the case of "well," there is no schwa sound since it is pronounced /wɛl/ with a clear vowel. Schwa typically appears in unstressed syllables, but "well" has only one stressed syllable.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "well"?

A common mistake is mispronouncing "well" with a longer vowel sound, like /weɪl/, which can sound similar to "wail." It's important to keep the short "e" sound to ensure clear communication.