English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adv Uncommon

vastly

VAST-lee

Vastly (adv) means By a very large amount; greatly. Example: “The new engine is vastly more efficient than the old one.”

adv
1
By a very large amount; greatly.
"The new engine is vastly more efficient than the old one."
"Her opinion of the restaurant changed vastly after tasting the dessert."

How to Use Vastly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo a huge degree.

Common pairings
vastly different vastly improved vastly superior

Word Forms

more vastly comparative, most vastly superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “vastly” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The new engine is _____ more efficient than the old one.

Etymology

Formed from vast plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

Related Words

Rhymes for vastly

See all rhymes for vastly →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “vastly” mean?

The word “vastly” means by a very large amount; greatly. In plain terms, to a huge degree.

How do you pronounce “vastly”?

“Vastly” is pronounced VAST-lee (/ˈvæstli/ in IPA).

How do you use “vastly” in a sentence?

Here is “vastly” used in a sentence: “The new engine is vastly more efficient than the old one.”

What part of speech is “vastly”?

“Vastly” is an adverb.

Is “vastly” a common word?

“Vastly” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between vastly and greatly?

Vastly emphasizes an extremely large degree of difference or change, often used to intensify comparisons, as in 'vastly superior.' Greatly is a more general intensifier that can describe both large and moderate degrees of increase, making vastly the stronger and more emphatic choice.

What kinds of words does vastly typically modify?

Vastly commonly modifies comparative adjectives and words implying difference or change, such as 'vastly different,' 'vastly improved,' or 'vastly superior,' emphasizing the scale of the contrast or improvement.

Is vastly used in formal or informal English?

Vastly is used in both formal and informal English, frequently appearing in academic, journalistic, and everyday writing whenever a speaker wants to emphasize a large degree of difference.

Featured In

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial