adv. & adj.
--adv.
1. in a high degree (did it very easily; had a very bad cough; am very much better).
2 in the fullest sense (foll. by own or superl. adj.: at the very latest; do your very best; my very own room).
--adj.
1. real, true, actual; truly such (usu. prec. by the, this, his, etc. emphasizing identity, significance, or extreme degree: the very thing we need; those were his very words).
2 archaic real, genuine (very God).
Phrases and idioms:
not very
1. in a low degree.
2 far from being. very good (or well) a formula of consent or approval. very high frequency (of radio frequency) in the range 30-300 megahertz. Very Reverend the title of a dean. the very same see SAME.
Etymology: ME f. OF verai ult. f. L verus true