very

Very is a common English adverb of degree and a core intensifier. It precedes adjectives or other adverbs to indicate a high degree or strong emphasis, as in very tall or very quickly. It also appears in fixed expressions such as the very idea or the very point, where it emphasizes exactness or importance.

Etymology and history: Very derives from Old French verai meaning real or true, from Latin verus meaning true. In Middle English it shifted from a sense tied to truth or reality to express emphasis, and by the early modern period it had become a general degree modifier used with adjectives and adverbs.

Grammar and usage: As a degree adverb, very primarily modifies adjectives and adverbs. It is typically placed directly before the word it modifies: very happy, very slowly. It can also occur with nouns in phrases like the very idea, where it serves as an emphatic determiner-like modifier. When negation is involved, not very is common, meaning only to a moderate extent: not very good. For modifying verbs with emphasis, speakers often use very much: I enjoyed it very much.

Variations and style: Depending on context, stronger alternatives such as extremely, utterly, or profoundly may be preferred for formality or precision. Overuse of very can weaken impact, especially in formal writing. As an element of English grammar, very functions alongside other degree modifiers and serves to scale the intensity of the described attribute or action.