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very

Syllabification: (ver·y)
Pronunciation: /ˈverē/
Translate very | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of very

adverb

  • used for emphasis.
  • in a high degree:very large very quickly very much so
  • (with superlative or own) used to emphasize that the following description applies without qualification:the very best quality his very own car

adjective

  • actual; precise (used to emphasize the exact identity of a particular person or thing):those were his very words he might be phoning her at this very moment transformed before our very eyes
  • emphasizing an extreme point in time or space:from the very beginning of the book at the very back of the skull
  • with no addition of or contribution from anything else; mere:the very thought of drink made him feel sick
  • archaic real; genuine:the very God of Heaven

Phrases

not very

  • 1in a low degree:“Bad news?” “Not very.”
  • 2far from being:I’m not very impressed

the very idea!

see idea.

the very same

see same.

very well

(or datedvery good)
used to express agreement or consent:oh very well then, come in

Origin:

Middle English (as an adjective in the sense 'real, genuine'): from Old French verai, based on Latin verus 'true'

very in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of very in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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