It’s simple to forget what to use in place of ‘very’. This is because the English language contains a good number of descriptive terms.
The word ‘very’ is an intensifier, which is used as an adverb or adverbial phrase and it amplifies the significance of other words and conveys emphasis.
One of the frequent intensifiers used in English is the word ‘very’. Most of the time we use very+adjective to amplify the significance of other words and convey emphasis.
It may be simple to write anything with the word ‘very’. However, using descriptive words allows you to be much more creative with your writing. It also aids in your academic success.
Below is a list of words/ phrases you can use in place of ‘very’. I hope this helps you understand more appropriate vocabulary and use them precisely in your IELTS and other formal writings.
| Very basic —> Fundamental |
| Very beautiful —> Gorgeous |
| Very big —> Massive |
| Very boring —> Dull |
| Very bright —> Luminous |
| Very busy —> Swamped |
| Very calm —> Serene |
| Very afraid —> Fearful |
| Very accurate —> Exact |
| Very aggressive —> Forceful |
| Very amazed —> Astonished |
| Very angry —> Furious |
| Very creative —> Innovative |
| Very creamy —> Velvety |
| Very crowded —> Bustling |
| Very curious —> Snoopy |
| Very cute —> Adorable |
| Very dangerous—> Perilous |
| Very dark—> Lightless |
| Very dear —> Cherished |
| Very consistent —> Constant |
| Very contrary —> Confrontational |
| Very conventional —> Conservative |
| Very corrupt —> Fraudulent |
| Very decent —> Noble |
| Very deep —> Profound |
| Very deformed —> Misshapen |
| Very delicate —> Subtle |
| Very desperate —> Frantic |
| Very difficult —> Arduous |
| Very dirty —> Filthy |
| Very disagreeable —> Obnoxious |
| Very dismal —> Morbid |
| Very distinct —> Definite |
| Very dramatic —> Theatrical |
| Very dry —> Arid |
| Very dubious —> Suspicious |
| Very dull —> Tedious |
| Very eager —> Keen |
| Very easy —> Effortless |
| Very efficient —> Resourceful |
| Very embarrassed —> Ashamed |
| Very empty —> Desolate |
| Very enthusiastic —> Ebullient |
| Very evil —> Wicked |
| Very excited —> Thrilled |
| Very expensive —> Costly |
| Very fair—> Equitable |
| Very faithful —> Loyal |
| Very famous —> Renowned |
| Very fancy —> Lavish |
| Very far —> Remote |
| Very fast —> Quick |
| Very fat —> Obese |
| Very fierce —> Ferocious |
| Very friendly —> Amiable |
| Very funny —> Hilarious |
| Very glad —> Overjoyed |
| Very great —> Terrific |
| Very good —> Excellent |
| Very happy —> Ecstatic |
| Very heavy —> Leaden |
| Very hot —> Scalding |
| Very hungry —> Starving |
| Very hurt —> Battered |
| Very huge —> Colossal |
| Very large —> Huge |
| Very lazy —> Indolent |
| Very light —> Luminous |
| Very little —> Tiny |
| Very lively —> Animated |
| Very long —> Extensive |
| Very loose —> Slack |
| Very lovely –> Adorable |
| Very mean —> Cruel |
| Very messy —> Slovenly |
| Very neat —> Immaculate |
| Very nice —> Kind |
| Very noisy —> Deafening |
| Very often —> Frequently |
| Very old —> Ancient |
| Very open —> Transparent |
| Very pale —> Ashen |
| Very perfect —> Flawless |
| Very poor —> Destitute |
| Very powerful —> Compelling |
| Very pretty —> Beautiful |
| Very quick —> Rapid |
| Very quiet —> Hushed |
| Very rainy —> Pouring |
| Very rich —> Wealthy |
| Very risky —> Perilous |
| Very roomy —> Spacious |
| Very rude —> Vulgar |
| Very sad —> Sorrowful |
| Very scared —> Petrified |
| Very scary —> Chilling |
| Very serious —> Grave |
| Very sharp —> Keen |
| Very shiny —> Gleaming |
| Very short —> Brief |
| Very shy —> Timid |
| Very stupid —> Idiotic |
| Very talented —> Gifted |
| Very tall —> Towering |
| Very tasty —> Delicious |
| Very thin —> Gaunt |
| Very thirsty —> Parched |
| Very tight —> Constricting |
| Very tiny —> Minuscule |
| Very tired —> Exhausted |
| Very upset —> Distraught |
| Very ugly —> Hideous |
| Very valuable —> Precious |
| Very warm —> Hot |
| Very weak —> Frail |
| Very wet —> Soaked |
| Very wicked —> Villainous |
| Very wide —> Expansive |
| Very willing —> Eager |
| Very windy —> Blustery |
| Very wise —> Sage |
| Very simple —> Basic |
| Very skinny —> Skeletal |
| Very slow —> Sluggish |
| Very small —> Petite |
| Very smart—> Intelligent |
| Very smooth —> Sleek |
| Very soft —> Downy |
| Very sorry —> Apologetic |
| Very special —> Exceptional |
| Very sure —> Certain |
| Very sweet —> Thoughtful |
| Very smart —> Intelligent |
| Very strong —> Forceful |
IELTS vocabulary: 52 most common & important words; with meanings & example sentences
