Main Entry: ¹very

Pronunciation: \ˈver-ē, ˈve-rē\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): veri·er; veri·est

Etymology: Middle English verray, verry, from Anglo-French verai, from Vulgar Latin *veracus, alteration of Latin verac-, verax truthful, from verus true; akin to Old English wǣr true, Old High German wāra trust, care, Greek ēra (accusative) favor

Date: 13th century

1 a : properly entitled to the name or designation : true <the fierce hatred of a very woman — J. M. Barrie> b : actual, real <the very blood and bone of our grammar — H. L. Smith †1972> c : simple, plain <in very truth>
2 a : exact, precise <the very heart of the city> b : exactly suitable or necessary <the very thing for the purpose>
3 a : absolute, utter <the veriest fool alive> b : unqualified, sheer <the very shame of it>
4 —used as an intensive especially to emphasize identity <before my very eyes>
5 : mere, bare <the very thought terrified him>
6 : being the same one : selfsame <the very man I saw>
7 : special, particular <the very essence of truth is plainness and brightness — John Milton>

synonyms see same