Another word for very
The best other words for very are really, precisely, actual and extremely.
- Most formal
- extremely, highly, remarkably
- Strongest
- extremely, highly, remarkably
- Casual
- really, incredibly, just
- Instead of “very important”
- important, crucial, vital
Very /ˈvɛri/ (adverb): Used to emphasize the degree or extent of something. In simple words: A word that shows something is strong, exact, or used for emphasis. Below are 19 rated synonyms across 3 senses, plus 38 more related words. Tap a chip for its nuance and an example.
19 synonyms shown
Degree intensifier · adverb
emphasizes an adjective, adverb, or phrase
Exact identity · adverb
used to emphasize exactness or sameness
Emphatic particle · adverb
adds force to a following noun phrase or expression
Find the right strength and register
Drag the amber target to how strong and how formal you need the word to be. The three closest synonyms light up.
You asked for: equal strength, neutral register
- really — Casual, conversational emphasis.
- quite — Often milder than very in standard use.
- extremely — More forceful and more formal than very.
The dashed ring marks “very” itself: neutral strength, neutral register.
Synonyms for very in your sentence
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How to choose
Very is a safe default, but it can sound bland or repetitive if overused. Choose a synonym that matches both strength and register: words like highly or precisely suit formal writing, while really or incredibly sound more conversational.
Antonyms of very
- slightly
- somewhat
- moderately
- barely
- hardly
All synonyms at a glance
| Synonym | Strength | Formality | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| extremely | 4/5 | formal | academic, business, casual |
| highly | 4/5 | formal | academic, business |
| really | 3/5 | casual | casual, business |
| quite | 2/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| remarkably | 4/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| exceptionally | 4/5 | formal | academic, business |
| incredibly | 4/5 | casual | casual, creative |
| utterly | 4/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| exactly | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| precisely | 3/5 | formal | academic, business |
| just | 2/5 | casual | casual, business |
| right | 2/5 | casual | casual |
| the very | 3/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| actual | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| real | 2/5 | casual | casual, creative |
| true | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| perfect | 3/5 | casual | casual, creative |
| complete | 4/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| entire | 4/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
Instead of “very very”
One precise word usually beats an intensifier. See the full words instead of “very” list.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| very important | important, crucial, vital |
| very good | good, great, excellent |
| very much | much, a lot, greatly |
More words related to very
Looser matches and phrases, unrated. Check the sense before you swap one in, or compare it with “very”.
- much
- far
- far and away
- by far
- a great deal
- a good deal
- a lot
- considerably
- substantially
- significantly
- markedly
- noticeably
- decidedly
- plainly
- clearly
- indeed
- even
- actually
- literally
- strictly
- downright
- awfully
- terribly
- deucedly
- dead
- hugely
- immensely
- enormously
- profoundly
- supremely
- eminently
- veritable
- thoroughly
- totally
- wholly
- drastically
- severely
- vastly
Questions about synonyms for very
What is the most formal alternative to very?
It depends on the sense, but highly and precisely are among the most formal options. Highly works best before evaluative adjectives, while precisely is better for exactness or identity.
What is a stronger alternative to very?
Extremely, exceptionally, and utterly are stronger than very in most contexts. Use them when you want clear emphasis, but avoid stacking them with other intensifiers.
What is a milder alternative to very?
Quite is often milder than very in standard usage, though it can vary by context and dialect. For exactness, just or exactly may be better if you mean emphasis on identity rather than degree.
What is another word for very in very good?
A natural replacement is often "really," "so," or "quite," depending on tone. If you want a stronger word than "very good," try "excellent" or "great."
What is a more professional word for very important?
Common professional alternatives include "critical," "essential," "vital," and "crucial." The best choice depends on whether you mean necessary, urgent, or simply highly significant.