very

Examples

• All

• He now understands this, and this is a very important lesson.

• OK, now back to the news on this very dark day in America.

• But it is like you said, I think it is very important.

• You are in very safe hands.

  Hell of a Summer (2023)

• Well, it is a very good first draft.

• The opportunity to tell our story is a very nice part of this set of instruments.

  Academic text (2011)

• Very nice to meet you.

  Unfavorable Odds (2022)

• That's why it's a very difficult decision to make.

  Sleuth (1972)

• There's something he has to do, something very important to him that he must do.

  Fiction book (1990)

• She was very pleased with the outcome of the project.

Synonyms

S

specific

vsvery

∞ 3.9

Clearly defined and exact for a particular thing or person

emphasizes the exact person, time, or place mentioned

I

identical

vsvery

237 2.9

Being exactly the same in every detail as another

focuses on a mentioned item rather than on sameness

S

selfsame

vsvery

• Archaic

3 7.7

The exact same person or thing as before

points to a single mentioned instance instead of full sameness

Antonyms

V

vague

230 4.6

Not clear or detailed so you are unsure what is meant

I

imprecise

14 5.5

Not exact or clear enough to be useful

Idioms

V

very well

919 1.0

In a fairly good way

V

very well

203 1.0

Say this to show agreement or acceptance

A

at the very least

141 3.4

To say the thing just said is the least you should do

A

all very well

• UK

1 6.7

Fine to say but not enough to help in real life

H

how very dare you

• Informal

9.9

Show strong anger and disbelief at someone's words or actions

R

right under someone's very eyes

• Informal

7.0

Happens openly without people nearby noticing

Compounds

V

very important person

16 2.5

A person with great power or status who gets special treatment

V

very softly

4 2.8

In music, played very quietly so the sound is almost not heard

V

Very Reverend

• Formal

1 8.1

A formal title for senior church priests such as cathedral deans or canons

V

very low frequency

• Specialized

1 6.5

A range of very low radio waves used for communication over long distances, for example by submarines

V

very high frequency

• Specialized

1 3.7

A radio frequency range from 30 to 300 megahertz used for FM radio, TV, and two-way radios

V

Very light

• Specialized

7.9

A bright signal flare fired from a small pistol to show location or call for help

V

very low density lipoprotein

• Specialized

5.4

A blood particle that carries fat from the liver to body tissues and can become LDL cholesterol

V

Very pistol

• Specialized

8.9

A small gun that fires bright flares to signal for help at sea or in emergencies

V

Very-light

• Specialized

9.9

A bright colored flare that you fire from a pistol to show your position

Surface Forms

Etymology