65 Words To Use Instead Of Very

Using the word “very” repeatedly in your writing or speech can make your English sound less expressive. This blog post on Words to Use Instead of Very will introduce you to better alternatives to make your vocabulary richer and more engaging. You’ll learn how to replace “very” with precise and impactful words, like “enormous” instead of “very big” or “exhausted” instead of “very tired.” By the end of this post, you’ll have a list of expressive words that will elevate your English skills.

 

Instead ofSay

 

very angryfurious

 

very badterrible

 

very beautifulgorgeous

 

very bigenormous

 

very boringtedious

 

very brightdazzling

 

very busyswamped

 

very cheapinexpensive

 

very cleanspotless

 

very clearobvious

 

very coldfreezing

 

very colorfulvibrant

 

very complicatedcomplex

 

very confusedperplexed

 

very crowdedpacked

 

very dangerousperilous

 

very darkpitch-black

 

very dirtyfilthy

 

very dryparched

 

very dulltedious

 

very easyeffortless

 

very emptydesolate

 

very expensivecostly

 

very fastrapid

 

very fatobese

 

very friendlyamiable

 

very funnyhilarious

 

very goodexcellent

 

very happyecstatic

 

very harddifficult

 

very heavymassive

 

very hotscorching

 

very hungrystarving

 

very importantcrucial

 

very intelligentbrilliant

 

very largehuge

 

very lazyindolent

 

very longextensive

 

very louddeafening

 

very messychaotic

 

very neatimmaculate

 

very noisyboisterous

 

very oldancient

 

very painfulexcruciating

 

very poordestitute

 

very prettybeautiful

 

very quietsilent

 

very richwealthy

 

very sadsorrowful

 

very scaredterrified

 

very seriousgrave

 

very sharpkeen

 

very shortbrief

 

very shytimid

 

very simplebasic

 

very slowsluggish

 

very smalltiny

 

very strongpowerful

 

very stupididiotic

 

very sweetadorable

 

very talltowering

 

very tastydelicious

 

very thirstyparched

 

very tiredexhausted

 

very uglyhideous

 

very valuableprecious

 

very weakfrail

 

very wetsoaked

 

very windyblustery

 

very wisesagacious

 

very worriedanxious

 

very youngyouthful

65 Words To Use Instead Of Very

What’s another word to use instead of very?

  • Extremely
  • Really
  • Incredibly
  • Highly
  • Tremendously
  • Exceptionally
  • Super
  • Unbelievably
  • Unusually
  • Particularly
  • Profoundly
  • Absolutely
  • Remarkably
  • Exceedingly
  • Enormously
  • Utterly
  • Amazingly
  • Immensely
  • Seriously
  • Terribly

How do you avoid the word very?

Use Stronger Adjectives and Adverbs

Rather than relying on “very” to intensify adjectives or adverbs, you can use stronger, more specific words. By doing this, you make your writing more engaging and precise. For example:

  • Very bigGigantic, Massive, Enormous, Colossal
  • Very fastSwift, Rapid, Speedy, Lightning-fast
  • Very happyEcstatic, Delighted, Overjoyed, Elated
  • Very coldFreezing, Icy, Frigid, Arctic
  • Very importantCrucial, Vital, Essential, Imperative

Using these specific words not only eliminates “very” but also makes your descriptions more precise and powerful.

2. Use Precise Language and Details

Instead of saying something is “very good” or “very bad,” consider providing more context to describe the situation. By doing so, you create a more vivid picture for your reader. For instance:

  • Very good → “She performed with excellence in her presentation.”
  • Very bad → “The situation was disastrous, with no way out.”

This method often eliminates the need for overused intensifiers like “very” while still conveying a strong emotion or situation.

3. Use Comparisons

Comparing things or actions can be a great way to avoid “very” while still conveying intensity. This approach helps you show the degree of something without using vague intensifiers:

  • Very tallTaller than the average person, Towering
  • Very loudDeafening, As loud as thunder

By using comparisons, you create more interesting and varied descriptions that also avoid the overuse of “very.”

4. Opt for Metaphors or Similes

Metaphors and similes can convey strength and emphasis creatively without needing “very.” These literary devices add layers of meaning and can make your writing more engaging and imaginative.

  • Very bright → “The sun was a blazing fire in the sky.”
  • Very strong → “She was as strong as an ox.”
  • Very hard. → “The surface was as tough as steel.”

These figures of speech enhance your writing by adding emotional or visual impact.

5. Combine Nouns and Adjectives for Emphasis

Instead of using “very” to emphasize an adjective, you can combine nouns and adjectives that give more weight to the description:

  • Very darkPitch black, Inky darkness
  • Very expensiveA luxury item, A high-end product
  • Very cleanSpotless, Immaculate

This technique combines descriptive language with specific nouns, offering a richer and more dynamic description.

6. Use the Power of Context

In some cases, the context of a sentence can carry enough weight to convey intensity, meaning you don’t need to rely on “very” to emphasize a point. You can rely on the action or setting to show just how important or strong something is.

  • Very tired. → “After hours of work, she could barely keep her eyes open.”
  • Very large. → “The mountain stretched endlessly into the horizon.”

The context itself gives power to the description, eliminating the need for any extra words like “very.”

7. Use the Right Tone for the Situation

Sometimes, instead of using “very,” you can adjust the tone of your writing. Emphasizing the emotions or reactions in your sentences allows you to express the intensity naturally. For instance:

  • Very excited → “He was bubbling with excitement.”
  • Very surprised → “Her eyes widened in shock.”

By capturing the essence of the emotion or reaction through action, you don’t need an intensifier like “very.”

8. Avoid Unnecessary Intensifiers

Lastly, it’s essential to recognize when “very” is unnecessary. Often, we default to using “very” out of habit, but many times, it doesn’t add anything meaningful to the sentence. Try reading your sentences and see if the meaning still holds strong without it.

  • Very tiredExhausted
  • Very beautifulStunning
  • Very angryFurious

FAQ on Words To Use Instead Of Very

  1. Why should I avoid using “very” too often?

    • Using “very” frequently can make your speech or writing repetitive and less descriptive.
  2. What are some common words to replace “very”?

    • Examples include “huge” for “very big” or “delicious” for “very tasty.”
  3. How can replacing “very” improve my English?

    • Replacing “very” with precise words helps you sound more fluent and expressive.
  4. Is it hard to learn words to replace “very”?

    • Not at all! With practice, these words will become a natural part of your vocabulary.
  5. Where can I use words instead of “very”?

    • You can use them in writing, conversations, emails, or any form of communication to sound more professional and engaging.

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