very

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   precisely so

   on the very next page

2. 2
   adv

   To a great extent or degree.

   That dress is very you.

3. 3
   adv

   Used to firmly establish that nothing else surpasses in some respect.

   He was the very best runner there.

4. 4
   adj

   True, real, actual.

   the fierce hatred of a very woman

5. 5
   adj

   The same; identical.

   He proposed marriage in the same restaurant, at the very table where they first met.

6. 6
   adj

   With limiting effect: mere.

   The very idea of climbing the ladder brings me out in a sweat.

7. 7
   adv

   used as intensifiers

8. 8
   adj

   precisely as stated

Etymology

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 the 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-, mægen, sore, sin-, swith, (partially) wel.