very
very Lexical Profile
very Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
In a high degree; extremely or exceedingly.
"The research team was very pleased with the results of the clinical trial."
Used before a superlative adjective or the word 'own' to emphasize that a quality or possession exists in the highest possible degree.
"She always gives her very best effort to every academic project."
• adjective
Actual, precise, or exact; used to emphasize the identity, relevance, or significance of a particular person, thing, or moment.
"Those were the very words the witness used during the testimony."
Extreme or uttermost in position, time, or degree.
"The cabin is situated at the very end of a winding mountain road."
Mere or bare; used to emphasize that the simple existence, mention, or thought of something is sufficient to produce an effect.
"The very thought of speaking in front of a large audience made him nervous."
Word Nuance & Usage
In formal English, the adverb 'very' modifies adjectives and other adverbs directly, whereas 'very much' is generally required to modify verbs and past participles functioning as passive verbs (e.g., 'I was very much surprised by the news').
• Rhymes for very
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'verray' (meaning 'true' or 'real'), borrowed from Anglo-Norman 'verrai' and Old French 'verai', which derive from Vulgar Latin '*veracus' and ultimately Classical Latin 'verax' ('truthful'), from 'verus' ('true').