ver•y
Pronunciation: (ver'ē), [key]
— adv., adj., ver•i•er, ver•i•est.
—adv.
- in a high degree; extremely; exceedingly: A giant is very tall.
- (used as an intensive emphasizing superlatives or stressing identity or oppositeness): the very best thing; in the very same place as before.
—adj.
- precise; particular: That is the very item we want.
- mere: The very thought of it is distressing.
- sheer; utter: He wept from the very joy of knowing he was safe.
- actual: He was caught in the very act of stealing.
- being such in the true or fullest sense of the term; extreme: the very heart of the matter.
- true; genuine; worthy of being called such: the very God; a very fool.
- rightful or legitimate.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.