Very
AI In plain words
Writing a short explanation…
Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
very¹
- /ˈvɛɹi/ UK, US
- /ˈveɹi/ Australia, New Zealand
- /ˈvɛɾe/ Scotland
- /ˈvɛɾi/ Wales
Sounds like vary (only in accents with the Mary–marry–merry merger) · Rhymes with -ɛɹi
Where it comes from
From Middle English verray, from Old French verai (“true”), from Early Medieval Latin vērāgus, from Classical Latin vērāx, derived from vērus, from Proto-Italic *wēros, from Proto-Indo-European *weh₁ros.
Distantly cognate with Old English wǣr (“true”). Over time displaced the use of a number of Germanic words or prefixes to convey the sense 'very' such as fele, full-, mæġen, sore, sin-, swīþe, (partially) wel.
adverb
- To a great extent or degree. That dress is very you.
- Conforming to fact, reality or rule; true.
- Used to firmly establish that nothing else surpasses in some respect. He was the very best runner there.
Similar: above a bit, absolutely, sorely, widely, horribly, horrendously, bone, abundantly, all too, all, but good, completely
adjective verier · veriest
- True, real, actual. the fierce hatred of a very woman
- The same; identical. He proposed marriage in the same restaurant, at the very table where they first met.
- With limiting effect: mere. The very idea of climbing the ladder brings me out in a sweat.
Very²
proper noun
- A surname, variant of Verey.