The difference between Well and Whole
When used as nouns, well means a hole sunk into the ground as a source of water, oil, natural gas or other fluids, whereas whole means something complete, without any parts missing.
When used as adverbs, well means accurately, competently, satisfactorily, whereas whole means in entirety.
Well is also interjection with the meaning: used to acknowledge a statement or situation.
Well is also verb with the meaning: to issue forth, as water from the earth.
Well is also adjective with the meaning: in good health.
check bellow for the other definitions of Well and Whole
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Well as an adverb (manner):
Accurately, competently, satisfactorily.
Examples:
"He does his job well."
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Well as an adverb (manner):
Completely, fully.
Examples:
"a well done steak"
"We’re well beat now."
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Well as an adverb (degree):
To a significant degree.
Examples:
"That author is well known."
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Well as an adverb (degree, British, slang):
Very (as a general-purpose intensifier).
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Well as an adverb:
In a desirable manner; so as one could wish; satisfactorily; favourably; advantageously.
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Well as an adjective:
In good health.
Examples:
"I had been sick, but now I'm well."
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Well as an adjective (hypercorrect):
Good, content.
Examples:
"“How are you?” — “I'm well, thank you!”"
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Well as an adjective (archaic):
Prudent; good; well-advised.
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Well as a noun:
A hole sunk into the ground as a source of water, oil, natural gas or other fluids.
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Well as a noun:
A place where a liquid such as water surfaces naturally; a spring.
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Well as a noun:
A small depression suitable for holding liquid or other objects.
Examples:
"Make a well in the dough mixture and pour in the milk."
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Well as a noun (figurative):
A source of supply.
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Well as a noun (nautical):
A vertical, cylindrical trunk in a ship, reaching down to the lowest part of the hull, through which the bilge pumps operate.
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Well as a noun (nautical):
The cockpit of a sailboat.
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Well as a noun (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.
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Well as a noun (nautical):
A vertical passage in the stern into which an auxiliary screw propeller may be drawn up out of the water.
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Well as a noun (military):
A hole or excavation in the earth, in mining, from which run branches or galleries.
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Well as a noun (architecture):
An opening through the floors of a building, as for a staircase or an elevator; a wellhole.
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Well as a noun:
The open space between the bench and the counsel tables in a courtroom.
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Well as a noun (metalworking):
The lower part of a furnace, into which the metal falls.
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Well as a noun:
A well drink.
Examples:
"They're having a special tonight: $1 wells."
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Well as a noun (video games):
The playfield of Tetris and similar video games, into which the blocks fall.
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Well as a noun (biology):
In a microtiter plate, each of the small equal circular or square sections which serve as test tubes.
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Well as a verb (intransitive):
To issue forth, as water from the earth; to flow; to spring.
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Well as a verb (intransitive):
To have something seep out of the surface.
Examples:
"Her eyes welled with tears."
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Whole as an adjective:
Entire.
Examples:
"I ate a whole fish."
"I brought a whole lot of balloons for the party.'' ''She ate a whole bunch of french fries."
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Whole as an adjective:
Sound, uninjured, healthy.
Examples:
"He is of whole mind, but the same cannot be said about his physical state."
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Whole as an adjective (of food):
From which none of its constituents has been removed.
Examples:
"'whole wheat; whole milk"
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Whole as an adjective (mining):
As yet unworked.
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Whole as an adverb (colloquial):
In entirety; entirely; wholly.
Examples:
"I ate a fish whole!"
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Whole as a noun:
Something complete, without any parts missing.
Examples:
"This variety of fascinating details didn't fall together into an enjoyable, coherent whole."
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Whole as a noun:
An entirety.