Different uses of ’well’

’Well’ is an adverb that means ’in a good way’. It’s often used about health. You don’t look well. Do you want to sit down? You did incredibly well in the essay. I gave you full marks. Also as an adverb, ’well’ can be used to emphasise adjectives and prepositions. We can’t afford this meal. It costs well more than I expected. Again, as an adverb, ’well’ can mean ’thoroughly’. Cook the chicken well. It needs at least an hour in the oven. Finally, in speaking, we often use well at the start of a phrase, particularly when we’re thinking about what we want to say. What did she say to you? Well, I don’t think I should talk about it really. It’s a secret.