very
VEH-ree
Very (adv) means used before an adjective or adverb to intensify it — to a high degree. Example: “The soup was very hot.”
adv
1
Used before an adjective or adverb to intensify it — to a high degree.
"The soup was very hot."
"She works very quickly under pressure."
"The children were very quiet during the long film."
adj
1
Used to emphasise that something is exactly the thing being referred to, with no doubt about it.
"This is the very book I was looking for."
"That is the very spot where we first met."
"Those were the very words she used on the phone."
How to use very
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA word used to strengthen an adjective or adverb, or to point at the exact thing meant.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
very good
very much
the very idea
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Word forms
- Comparative
- verier
- Superlative
- veriest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The soup was _____ hot.
Etymology
From Old French verai ("true"), ultimately from Latin verus ("true") — it originally meant "truly" before softening into a general intensifier.
Synonyms
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remarkably
selfsame
identical
above a bit
absolutely
sorely
bone
abundantly
all too
but good
completely
damn
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for very
See all rhymes for very →Frequently asked questions
What does “very” mean?
The word “very” means used before an adjective or adverb to intensify it — to a high degree. In plain terms, a word used to strengthen an adjective or adverb, or to point at the exact thing meant.
How do you pronounce “very”?
“Very” is pronounced VEH-ree (/ˈvɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “very” in a sentence?
Here is “very” used in a sentence: “The soup was very hot.”
What is another word for “very”?
Words with a similar meaning to “very” include above a bit, absolutely, sorely, bone, abundantly and all too.
What is the opposite of “very”?
The opposite of “very” — its antonyms — are almost, mostly and slightly.
What part of speech is “very”?
Depending on how it is used, “very” can be an adverb and an adjective.
Where does the word “very” come from?
The word “very” comes from Latin. From Old French verai ("true"), ultimately from Latin verus ("true") — it originally meant "truly" before softening into a general intensifier.
Is “very” a common word?
“Very” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "very" and "too"?
"Very" intensifies an adjective or adverb to a high degree, while "too" means excessively — more than is wanted or needed. "Very hot" simply means extremely hot, but "too hot" means hotter than is acceptable. Only "too" implies a problem.
Should you avoid the word "very" in formal writing?
"Very" is grammatically correct in any register, but many style guides suggest replacing "very + adjective" with one stronger word — "very big" becomes "huge," and "very tired" becomes "exhausted." The advice is about concision, not correctness.
Can "very" modify a verb?
No. "Very" intensifies only adjectives and adverbs, so "I very like it" is incorrect. Use "really" before the verb or "very much" after it: "I really like it" or "I like it very much."
How is "very" used before a noun, as in "the very person"?
Before a noun, "very" works as an adjective that emphasizes exactness — "the very person I wanted to see" means exactly that person, with no doubt about it. It also appears in phrases like "at that very moment" and "the very idea."
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing very in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Sudeikis, 50, was tasked with explaining that to the actors who played those teammates in "very difficult" individual phone calls, he told THR.
From
The Independent · Jul 25, 2026
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