Boost your vocabulary: say goodbye to ‘very’ + 22 examples

Be honest, are you guilty of using “very” too much?

“Very” is certainly a useful word. It helps us highlight or emphasise particular things. The use of “very” is warranted sometimes. However, a lot of people, especially those who speak English as a second language tend to use the word “very” too frequently.

While “very” is used to emphasise a particular quality, sometimes it actually does the opposite!

Take a look at the following example:

The fireworks are very loud.

The fireworks are deafening.

“Deafening” is stronger and more evocative than “very loud”. It also conveys the same meaning in fewer words.

Note that, again, sometimes using the word “very” is necessary and you shouldn’t substitute them in such cases.

With that out of the way, let’s expand our vocabulary together!

PS: If you want to level up your idiom game, don’t forget to read our blog here!

Very big

There are many alternatives to “very big”. Using one of these alternatives will make your sentence stronger.

Alternatives: massive, enormous, gigantic, humongous.

Example: The snake they found in her backyard was enormous!

Very funny

Have you ever caught yourself saying something like “my friend is very funny”? There are a couple of alternatives that you can use in its place.

Alternatives: hilarious, amusing, comical.

Example: My friend is hilarious!

Very pretty

You might be thinking, “oh that’s easy! I can just replace it with “beautiful!” But there are actually numerous different alternatives as well!

Alternatives: beautiful, attractive, gorgeous, charming, exquisite.

Example: Her necklace has such an exquisite design.

Very scary

There are many alternatives to “very scary”. Using one of these alternatives will make your sentence stronger.

Alternatives: horrifying, terrifying, ghastly, chilling

Example: Both alternatives – that we are alone in the universe or that there are other living beings out there, are terrifying.

Very shy

Perhaps you have described yourself as “very shy”? Try these alternatives.

Alternatives: timid, bashful, demure, reserved.

Example: Even though Jane is an actress, she’s actually quite reserved.

Very happy

Have you said “I feel very happy”? Try these alternatives.

Alternatives: ecstatic, overjoyed, elated, euphoric, delighted.

Example: Nancy was ecstatic when she found out that she received the highest grade in the midterm exam.

Very sad

Likewise, have you ever said “I feel very sad?” Try these alternatives.

Alternatives: dejected, melancholy, gloomy, blue.

Example: The conversation left her feeling blue.

Very neat

Have you ever said “my room is very neat!? Try these alternatives.

Alternatives: immaculate, orderly, spotless, well-kept

Example: The bedrooms are all in orderly condition.

Very difficult

There are numerous alternatives to “very difficult” which can really drive your point across.

Alternatives: arduous, challenging, laborious.

Example: We wish him well in his arduous task.

Very smart

You might have heard someone say, “She is very smart!” As usual, there are plenty of other alternatives you can use while still conveying the same meaning, but with a stronger tone.

Alternatives: bright, brilliant, resourceful, intelligent.

Example: Her mother was a brilliant scientist.

Very worried

You can replace “very worried” with a couple of different words.

Alternatives: distressed, distraught, perturbed, anxious.

Example: She was deeply distressed by the news of the disappearances.

Very good

Want to emphasise just how “very good” something or someone is? Try these alternatives!

Alternatives: excellent, remarkable, exceptional, exemplary.

Example: The workmanship of this furniture is remarkable.

Very kind

You can replace “very kind” with a couple of different words.

Alternatives: compassionate, tenderhearted, altruistic

Example: We must be compassionate to all living beings.

Very evil

“Very evil” does not sound strong enough. Try replacing it with these alternatives.

Alternatives: heinous, malevolent, vile, wicked.

Example: The military response is grossly immoral and profoundly wicked.

Very tired

Feeling more than just a little sleepy? Express it with these words!

Alternatives: exhausted, fatigued, drained, worn out.

Example: After the marathon, Jenna was completely exhausted.

Very cold

When it’s more than just a chill in the air, describe it with these terms!

Alternatives: freezing, icy, frosty, frigid.

Example: The wind was so frigid, it cut right through my coat.

Very hungry

Is your stomach more than just a bit peckish? Use these words to describe that feeling!

Alternatives: famished, starving, ravenous, peckish.

Example: By lunchtime, we were all absolutely famished.

Very fast

When something is moving at more than a brisk pace, describe its speed with these words!

Alternatives: speedy, rapid, swift, quick.

Example: The cheetah is known for its rapid movement in the wild.

Very small

When “small” just doesn’t cut it, use these alternatives to emphasize tininess!

Alternatives: tiny, minuscule, petite, microscopic.

Example: The kitten was so tiny, it fit in the palm of my hand.

Very soft

When you want to describe something that’s more than just a little soft to the touch, use these words!

Alternatives: fluffy, plush, tender, velvety.

Example: The new blanket was so plush, it felt like a cloud.

Very hot

For those days when it’s more than just warm, describe the heat with these words!

Alternatives: scorching, boiling, sizzling, blistering.

Example: The pavement was so scorching, you could fry an egg on it!

Summary

As can be seen, there are A LOT of alternative words you can use in the place of “very …”. Try using these words often so it will come naturally to you. Got any more words that you want to know the alternatives of? Let us know and we will compile and write a new article about it!

Next steps

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