/ ˈveri; NAmE / adverb , adjective
■ adverb ( abbr. v )
1.
used before adjectives, adverbs and determiners to mean 'in a high degree' or 'extremely' :
very small
very quickly
Very few people know that.
Thanks very much.
'Do you like it?' 'Yeah, I do. Very much .'
'Is it what you expected?' 'Oh yes, very much so .'
'Are you busy?' 'Not very.'
The new building has been very much admired.
I'm not very (= not at all) impressed.
I'm very very grateful.
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) .
3.
the ~ same exactly the same :
Mario said the very same thing.
■ adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
used to emphasize that you are talking about a particular thing or person and not about another
SYN actual :
Those were her very words.
He might be phoning her at this very moment .
That's the very thing I need.
2.
used to emphasize an extreme place or time :
It happens at the very beginning of the book.
3.
used to emphasize a noun
SYN mere :
The very thought of drink made him feel sick.
'I can't do that!' she gasped, appalled at the very idea .
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IDIOMS
see eye noun
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GRAMMAR
very / 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.
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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.
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He was much loved by everyone.
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She was greatly admired.
Very is used to emphasize superlative adjectives:
my very best work
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the very youngest children.
However, with comparative adjectives much , very much , a lot , etc. are used:
Your work is very much better.
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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.
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I'm completely exhausted.
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You played really brilliantly.
Very is not used with verbs. Use very much instead:
We enjoyed staying with you very much.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as an adjective in the sense real, genuine ): from Old French verai , based on Latin verus true.