very

[ ver-ee ]

adverb

1. in a high degree; extremely; exceedingly:

   A giant is very tall.

2. (used as an intensive emphasizing superlatives or stressing identity or oppositeness):

   the very best thing; in the very same place as before.

adjective

, (Obsolete) ver·i·er, ver·i·est.

1. precise; particular:

   That is the very item we want.

2. mere:

   The very thought of it is distressing.

3. sheer; utter:

   He wept from the very joy of knowing he was safe.

   Synonyms: plain, simple, pure

4. actual:

   He was caught in the very act of stealing.

5. being such in the true or fullest sense of the term; extreme:

   the very heart of the matter.

6. true; genuine; worthy of being called such:

   the very God; a very fool.

7. rightful or legitimate.

very

/ ˈvɛrɪ /

adverb

1. (intensifier) used to add emphasis to adjectives that are able to be graded

   very good

   very tall

adjective

1. (intensifier) used with nouns preceded by a definite article or possessive determiner, in order to give emphasis to the significance, appropriateness or relevance of a noun in a particular context, or to give exaggerated intensity to certain nouns

   the very man I want to see

   his very name struck terror

   the very back of the room

2. (intensifier) used in metaphors to emphasize the applicability of the image to the situation described

   he was a very lion in the fight

3. archaic.
   1. real or true; genuine

      the very living God

   2. lawful

      the very vengeance of the gods

Usage

In strict usage adverbs of degree such as very, too, quite, really, and extremely are used only to qualify adjectives: he is very happy; she is too sad. By this rule, these words should not be used to qualify past participles that follow the verb to be, since they would then be technically qualifying verbs. With the exception of certain participles, such as tired or disappointed, that have come to be regarded as adjectives, all other past participles are qualified by adverbs such as much, greatly, seriously, or excessively: he has been much (not very ) inconvenienced; she has been excessively (not too ) criticized

Grammar Note

Past participles that have become established as adjectives can, like most English adjectives, be modified by the adverb very : a very driven person; We were very concerned for your safety. Very does not modify past participles that are clearly verbal; for example, The lid was very sealed is not an idiomatic construction, while The lid was very tightly sealed is. Sometimes confusion arises over whether a given past participle is adjectival and thus able to be modified by very without an intervening adverb. However, there is rarely any objection to the use of this intervening adverb, no matter how the past participle is functioning. Such use often occurs in edited writing: We were very much relieved to find the children asleep. They were very greatly excited by the news. I feel very badly cheated.

Word History and Origins

Origin of very¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French verai ( French vrai ), from Vulgar Latin vērācus (unrecorded) for Latin vērāx “truthful,” equivalent to vēr(us) “true” (cognate with Old English wǣr, German wahr “true, correct”) + -āx adjectival suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of very¹

C13: from Old French verai true, from Latin vērax true, from vērus true

Idioms and Phrases

• all very well
• what's the (the very) idea

Example Sentences

It used to be very easy to get a court.

From Los Angeles Times

One is to portray rare adverse health effects — some so rare that their very existence is questionable — as major and acute threats.

From Los Angeles Times

“He just shared his talent. I’m very grateful to these guides.”

From Los Angeles Times

“The euthanasia policies are still very fuzzy,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

These bonds tend to be very chemically inert, which makes it difficult for biological systems to interact with them — but also makes them uniquely able to repel oil, water and stains.

From Salon