Using “very” is common in everyday English language, but relying on it too often can make your writing and speech sound repetitive. By replacing “very” with more precise adjectives, you can add color and intensity to your expressions. In this post, we’ll explore a variety of words in English that can be used instead of “very,” along with examples for each word to show how you can incorporate them naturally into your conversations or writing in English. Let’s dive into these enriching alternatives!
Words To Use Instead of Very
Table of Contents
1. Very Big = Enormous
When something is beyond large, it’s enormous.
- Example: “The building was enormous, towering over everything in sight.”
2. Very Small = Tiny
For things that are smaller than small, use tiny.
- Example: “I held the tiny kitten in the palm of my hand.”
3. Very Good = Excellent
When something is beyond good, it’s excellent.
- Example: “Her performance in the play was excellent, earning a standing ovation.”
4. Very Bad = Awful
Something worse than bad is awful.
- Example: “The food was awful; I couldn’t even finish my meal.”
5. Very Happy = Joyful
When someone is more than just happy, they’re joyful.
- Example: “He had a joyful smile that brightened everyone’s day.”
6. Very Sad = Miserable
If you’re feeling worse than sad, you’re miserable.
- Example: “After the team lost the championship, the players looked miserable.”
7. Very Funny = Hilarious
Something that makes you laugh uncontrollably is hilarious.
- Example: “The comedian’s jokes were hilarious; I laughed until I cried.”
8. Very Serious = Grave
When something is more than serious, it’s grave.
- Example: “The doctor’s expression was grave as he delivered the news.”
9. Very Brave = Courageous
If someone is braver than brave, they’re courageous.
- Example: “The firefighter made a courageous rescue, risking his own life.”
10. Very Cowardly = Timid
When someone is extremely shy or fearful, they’re timid.
- Example: “The timid child hid behind her mother when meeting new people.”
11. Very Fast = Swift
For something quicker than fast, use swift.
- Example: “The swift runner crossed the finish line before anyone else.”
12. Very Slow = Sluggish
Something slower than slow is sluggish.
- Example: “After the big meal, I felt too sluggish to move.”
13. Very Strong = Powerful
Stronger than strong is powerful.
- Example: “The powerful storm uprooted trees and knocked down power lines.”
14. Very Weak = Frail
When someone is weaker than weak, they’re frail.
- Example: “The frail old man struggled to lift the heavy bag.”
15. Very Beautiful = Gorgeous
If someone or something is beyond beautiful, it’s gorgeous.
- Example: “The sunset over the ocean was absolutely gorgeous.”
16. Very Ugly = Hideous
Something uglier than ugly is hideous.
- Example: “The creature in the movie was hideous, with twisted features and claws.”
17. Very Hot = Scorching
Hotter than hot is scorching.
- Example: “The desert heat was scorching, making it hard to breathe.”
18. Very Cold = Freezing
When it’s colder than cold, it’s freezing.
- Example: “We were freezing after spending hours outside in the snow.”
19. Very Smart = Brilliant
Smarter than smart is brilliant.
- Example: “She came up with a brilliant solution to the problem.”
20. Very Stupid = Idiotic
If something is beyond stupid, it’s idiotic.
- Example: “Ignoring the warning signs was an idiotic move.”
21. Very Hungry = Starving
When you’re hungrier than hungry, you’re starving.
- Example: “I was starving by the time dinner was ready.”
22. Very Thirsty = Parched
Thirstier than thirsty is parched.
- Example: “After the hike, I was parched and needed water immediately.”
23. Very Angry = Furious
Angrier than angry is furious.
- Example: “He was furious when he found out his car had been towed.”
24. Very Calm = Serene
When you’re calmer than calm, you’re serene.
- Example: “The lake was serene, with not a ripple on the surface.”
25. Very Clean = Spotless
Cleaner than clean is spotless.
- Example: “The hotel room was spotless, with not a speck of dust anywhere.”
26. Very Dirty = Filthy
Dirtier than dirty is filthy.
- Example: “After the mud race, we were all filthy from head to toe.”
27. Very Tired = Exhausted
When you’re more tired than tired, you’re exhausted.
- Example: “After working late, I was too exhausted to do anything else.”
28. Very Energetic = Lively
Someone more energetic than energetic is lively.
- Example: “The lively puppy ran around the yard all afternoon.”
29. Very Bright = Radiant
Brighter than bright is radiant.
- Example: “The bride looked radiant as she walked down the aisle.”
30. Very Dark = Pitch-black
Darker than dark is pitch-black.
- Example: “The room was pitch-black after the lights went out.”
31. Very Easy = Effortless
Easier than easy is effortless.
- Example: “She made the difficult task look effortless.”
32. Very Difficult = Arduous
More difficult than difficult is arduous.
- Example: “Climbing the mountain was an arduous journey.”
33. Very Cheap = Inexpensive
Cheaper than cheap is inexpensive.
- Example: “The meal was delicious and surprisingly inexpensive.”
34. Very Expensive = Costly
Costlier than expensive is costly.
- Example: “Repairing the car was a costly decision.”
35. Very Noisy = Deafening
Noisier than noisy is deafening.
- Example: “The concert was deafening, but I loved every minute.”
36. Very Quiet = Silent
Quieter than quiet is silent.
- Example: “The forest was silent, with no sound but the rustle of leaves.”
37. Very Surprised = Astonished
More surprised than surprised is astonished.
- Example: “She was astonished when she won the award.”
38. Very Old = Ancient
Older than old is ancient.
- Example: “The ancient ruins were a testament to history.”
39. Very Young = Youthful
Younger than young is youthful.
- Example: “Despite her age, she has a youthful energy.”
40. Very Rich = Wealthy
Richer than rich is wealthy.
- Example: “The wealthy businessman donated generously.”
41. Very Poor = Destitute
Poorer than poor is destitute.
- Example: “The charity helped destitute families in need.”
42. Very Important = Crucial
More important than important is crucial.
- Example: “It’s crucial that we finish the project on time.”
43. Very Boring = Dull
More boring than boring is dull.
- Example: “The lecture was so dull that I nearly fell asleep.”
44. Very Exciting = Exhilarating
More exciting than exciting is exhilarating.
- Example: “Skydiving was an exhilarating experience.”
45. Very Thin = Skinny
Thinner than thin is skinny.
- Example: “The skinny jeans fit her perfectly.”
46. Very Fat = Obese
Fatter than fat is obese.
- Example: “The doctor warned him about the risks of being obese.”
47. Very Crowded = Packed
More crowded than crowded is packed.
- Example: “The train was packed during rush hour.”
48. Very Smooth = Sleek
Smoother than smooth is sleek.
- Example: “The car’s sleek design caught everyone’s eye.”
49. Very Rough = Coarse
Rougher than rough is coarse.
- Example: “The coarse sand scratched my feet.”
50. Very Heavy = Weighty
Heavier than heavy is weighty.
- Example: “The suitcase was weighty, and I struggled to lift it.”
51. Very Light = Feathery
Lighter than light is feathery.
- Example: “The new pillow was feathery soft.”
52. Very Shy = Bashful
Shyer than shy is bashful.
- Example: “The bashful boy hid behind his mother.”
53. Very Dry = Parched
Drier than dry is parched.
- Example: “After a day in the sun, my skin felt parched.”
54. Very Wet = Soaked
Wetter than wet is soaked.
- Example: “We got soaked in the rain without an umbrella.”
Words To Use Instead of “Very”
Using precise and vivid words in English helps make your communication clearer and more engaging. By replacing “very” with these alternatives, you can add richness to your English language and make a stronger impact with your words. Try using these expressions in your daily English conversations, writing, or any situation where you want to communicate effectively!
