Where does “well” come from?

Well comes from Middle English wellen, Old English weallan, Proto-Germanic hwehwlą, and Proto-Indo-European kʷékʷlos, ultimately from the root kʷel- meaning to turn or move around.

well (English): Accurately, competently, satisfactorily;...

Definitions

  1. Accurately, competently, satisfactorily;...

Ancestry of “well”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishwellento boil, to bubble
2Old Englishweallanto well
3Proto-Germanicwallanąto well up, spring out, bubble forth
4Proto-Indo-EuropeanwēlH-to roll, to undulate
5Proto-Indo-EuropeanwelH-to turn, to wind

Words derived from “well

Every word from Proto-Indo-European welH-
well — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer