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Definition of very adverb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

very

adverb
 OPAL S
 
/ˈveri/
 
/ˈveri/
(abbreviation v)
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  1.  
     used before adjectives, adverbs and determiners to mean ‘in a high degree’ or ‘extremely’
    • Very few people know that.
    • We have very little information at present on the incident.
    • Thanks very much.
    • I'm not very (= not at all) impressed.
    • I'm very very grateful.
    • Things could have been so very different.
    • Australia has a very good reputation for producing high-quality grain.
    • This is a very important part of our marketing.
    • very small
    • very quickly
    • ‘Do you like it?’ ‘Yeah, I do. Very much.’
    • ‘Is it what you expected?’ ‘Oh yes, very much so.’
    • My children are still very young.
    • ‘Are you busy?’ ‘Not very.’
    • The new building has been very much admired.
    • very hard/difficult
    • very popular/happy/successful
    • These results are very worrying.
    • We were obviously very pleased with the outcome.
    • I find the film very upsetting to watch.
  2.  
    used to emphasize a superlative adjective or before own
    • They wanted the very best quality.
    • Be there by six at the very latest.
    • At last he had his very own car (= belonging to him and to nobody else).
    • It's the very worst time to be trying to sell your house.
    Grammar Point very / very muchvery / very much
    • Very is used with adjectives, past participles used as adjectives, and adverbs:
      • I am very hungry.
      • I was very pleased to get your letter.
      • You played very well.
      But notice this use:
      • I’m very much afraid that your son may be involved in the crime.
    • Very is not used with past participles that have a passive meaning. Much, very much or greatly (formal) are usually used instead:
      • Your help was very much appreciated.
      • He was much loved by everyone.
      • She was greatly admired.
    • Very is used to emphasize superlative adjectives:
      • my very best work
      • the very youngest children.
      However, with comparative adjectives much, very much, a lot, etc. are used:
      • Your work is very much better.
      • much younger children
      .
    • Very is not used with adjectives and adverbs that already have an extreme meaning. You are more likely to use an adverb such as absolutely, completely, etc:
      • She was absolutely furious.
      • I’m completely exhausted.
      • You played really brilliantly.
    • Very is not used with verbs. Use very much instead:
      • We enjoyed staying with you very much.
  3. the very same exactly the same
    • Mario said the very same thing.
    4. Word OriginMiddle English (as an adjective in the sense ‘real, genuine’): from Old French verai, based on Latin verus ‘true’.
See very in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee very in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: very

Nearby words

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noun
 
 
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