1 very
Pronounced:
/ˈveri/
Function:
adverbMeaning:
1 : to a great degree : extremely —used for emphasis before adjectives and adverbs ▪ a very hot day ▪ very accurate results ▪ a very small/large number/amount ▪ Very few people attended. ▪ It was a very unusual/difficult situation. ▪ He talks very slowly. ▪ We checked very carefully. ▪ She did very well on the test. ▪ It was very nice of you to stop by. ▪ I'm very pleased to meet you. ▪ I'm very sorry. ▪ “Thank you very much.” “You're very welcome.” ▪ “Were you surprised?” “Yes, very.” ▪ The building is very French. [=it looks like buildings in France] ▪ (formal) Any help you can provide would be very much appreciated. —often used in negative statements ▪ There weren't very many people there. ▪ She was never very popular. ▪ The food wasn't very good. ▪ I didn't like the food very much. ▪ “Was the food good?” “Not very.” ▪ “Did you like the food?” “Not very much.” ▪ “How's your dad?” “Not very well, I'm afraid.” [=my dad is ill] ▪ She's not very happy with me right now. [=she's annoyed with me] ▪ They weren't very nice (to me). [=they didn't treat me well; they were mean to me]
2 —used to emphasize the exactness of a description ▪ the very best restaurants ▪ We left the very next day. ▪ I told the very same [=exact same, (US) same exact] story. ▪ Mom said I can have my very own room [=a bedroom that I do not have to share] in the new house!
2 —used to emphasize the exactness of a description ▪ the very best restaurants ▪ We left the very next day. ▪ I told the very same [=exact same, (US) same exact] story. ▪ Mom said I can have my very own room [=a bedroom that I do not have to share] in the new house!
very good —see 1good
very much so
—used to say “yes” or to say that you agree with something ▪ “Were you surprised?” “Yes, very much so.”
very well
1 somewhat old-fashioned —used to say that you agree with something ▪ Very well, then. I'll see you tomorrow. ▪ Oh, very well. Do as you please. —see also all very well at 2well
2 : reasonably or properly ▪ I can't very well show up at the wedding uninvited. [=it would be improper for me to show up at the wedding uninvited]
2 : reasonably or properly ▪ I can't very well show up at the wedding uninvited. [=it would be improper for me to show up at the wedding uninvited]