name
Common
Wells
wehlz
Wells (name) means an English surname and city in Somerset, England, also borne by writer H. G. Wells. Example: “H. G. Wells wrote "The War of the Worlds".”
name
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An English surname and city in Somerset, England, also borne by writer H. G. Wells.
"H. G. Wells wrote "The War of the Worlds"."
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H. G. _____ wrote "The War of the Worlds".
Etymology
From Old English wella, genitive plural of well (“spring”), in reference to a residence near a group of springs. The original use of the genitive case here would've indicated origin. The -s ending of the modern form would be added later on upon reanalysis after the breakdown of the case system (outside of pronouns) that occurred in the development of English.
Rhymes for Wells
See all rhymes for Wells →Frequently asked questions
What does “Wells” mean?
The word “Wells” means an English surname and city in Somerset, England, also borne by writer H. G. Wells.
How do you pronounce “Wells”?
“Wells” is pronounced wehlz (/wɛlz/ in IPA).
How do you use “Wells” in a sentence?
Here is “Wells” used in a sentence: “H. G. Wells wrote "The War of the Worlds".”
What part of speech is “Wells”?
“Wells” is a name.
Is “Wells” a common word?
“Wells” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is the city of Wells in Somerset the same word as 'wells' meaning holes for water?
No. As a place name and surname, Wells is a proper noun and always takes a capital W, while 'wells' meaning shafts dug for water is the plural of the common noun 'well.' They are spelled and pronounced alike but are unrelated in meaning.
Is Wells in Somerset officially a city or a town?
Wells is officially a city in Somerset, England, despite being one of the smallest by population. In British usage 'city' is a formal status rather than simply a measure of size.
Who was H. G. Wells?
H. G. Wells was an English writer who shares the surname Wells. The surname itself is English in origin and is also carried by many people and places.
Should 'Wells' always be capitalised?
Yes, when it refers to the surname or the Somerset city, because it is a proper noun. The lowercase form 'wells' is simply the plural of the common noun 'well.'
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