Very Definition

vĕrē

verier, veriest

adverb

In a high degree; to a great extent; extremely; exceedingly.

Webster's New World

Truly; really.

The very same man.

Webster's New World

To what is regarded as an extreme, and hence obvious, degree; obviously; unmistakably.

Very pregnant.

Webster's New World

Used in titles.

The Very Reverend Jane Smith.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

adjective

veriest, verier

In the fullest sense; complete; absolute.

The very opposite of the truth.

Webster's New World

Same; identical.

The very hat he lost.

Webster's New World

Being just what is needed or suitable.

The very sofa to fit into the space.

Webster's New World

Actual [caught in the very act]

Webster's New World

Used to emphasize the importance of what is specified.

The very mountains shook.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Very

Base Form:

very

Comparative:

Superlative:

From Middle English verray, verrai (“true"), from Old French verai (“true") (Modern French: vrai), from assumed Vulgar Latin *vÄ“rācus, alteration of Latin vÄ“rāx (“truthful"), from Latin vÄ“rus (“true"), from Proto-Indo-European *wÄ“r- (“true, benevolent"). Cognate with Old English wÇ£r (“true, correct"), Dutch waar (“true"), German wahr (“true"), Icelandic alvöru (“earnest"). Displaced native Middle English sore, sār (“very") (from Old English sār (“grievous, extreme") (Cf. German: sehr, Dutch: zeer), Middle English wel (“very") (from Old English wel (“well, very")), and Middle English swith (“quickly; very") (from Old English swīþe (“very"). More at warlock.

From Wiktionary
Middle English verrai from Old French verai true from Vulgar Latin vērācus from Latin vērāx vērāc- truthful from vērus true wērə-o- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition