As writers, one of the best ways to elevate your language is to be precise and vivid in your descriptions. One word that often weakens writing is “very.” While it’s a common word, it’s also vague and doesn’t add much to the sentence. Instead of saying something is “very hot” or “very good,” you can use more powerful words that convey exactly what you mean. This helps your writing sound more professional, engaging, and direct.
Why Avoid the Word “Very”?
Weakens Impact: Saying something is “very hot” leaves readers with only a vague idea of the temperature. But words like “scorching” or “boiling” are much stronger, allowing readers to feel the heat.
Lack of Precision: “Very” often serves as a filler word, and using more precise terms creates sharper and clearer communication. Describing someone as “very tired” is not as specific as “exhausted.”
Reduces Repetition: Overusing “very” can make your writing feel monotonous. Readers appreciate variety and specificity in language, so opting for stronger words adds more flavor and keeps their interest alive.
45 Alternatives to “Very”
Here are 45 alternatives to avoid using “very,” along with examples of how to use them in your writing.
Very bad – awful
Example: “The movie was awful, not worth the ticket price.”
Very good – excellent
Example: “The dinner was excellent; I loved every bite.”
Very big – enormous
Example: “The house was enormous, with ten rooms and a grand backyard.”
Very small – tiny
Example: “Her apartment is tiny, but it’s cozy and well-organized.”
Very smart – intelligent
Example: “He’s an intelligent student who always aces his exams.”
Very fast – swift
Example: “The cheetah’s movements were swift, catching its prey within seconds.”
Very slow – sluggish
Example: “The internet connection was so sluggish that it took an hour to download a file.”
Very tired – exhausted
Example: “After a long day at work, I was completely exhausted.”
Very hungry – ravenous
Example: “I skipped lunch, and by dinnertime, I was ravenous.”
Very strong – powerful
Example: “The storm was powerful enough to uproot trees.”
Very weak – frail
Example: “The elderly man looked frail but was still full of energy.”
Very hot – scorching
Example: “The desert sun was scorching, making it nearly impossible to stand outside.”
Very cold – freezing
Example: “The winter night was freezing, and we huddled by the fire.”
Very clean – spotless
Example: “The hotel room was spotless, with everything perfectly in place.”
Very dirty – filthy
Example: “The abandoned house was filthy, with dust covering every surface.”
Very angry – furious
Example: “She was furious when she found out her brother had broken her favorite vase.”
Very happy – ecstatic
Example: “She was ecstatic when she heard she got the job.”
Very sad – heartbroken
Example: “He was heartbroken after losing his childhood pet.”
Very funny – hilarious
Example: “The comedian’s performance was hilarious; the audience couldn’t stop laughing.”
Very boring – tedious
Example: “The meeting was so tedious that I struggled to stay awake.”
Very bright – dazzling
Example: “The sun was so dazzling that I had to shield my eyes.”
Very dark – pitch-black
Example: “The cave was pitch-black, and we couldn’t see anything without a flashlight.”
Very loud – deafening
Example: “The concert was deafening, with music vibrating through the entire venue.”
Very quiet – silent
Example: “The library was silent, except for the occasional turn of a page.”
Very easy – effortless
Example: “The puzzle was so effortless that I completed it in five minutes.”
Very difficult – challenging
Example: “The hike was challenging, but the view from the top was worth it.”
Very rich – wealthy
Example: “The businessman was incredibly wealthy, owning properties all over the world.”
Very poor – destitute
Example: “Many people were left destitute after the hurricane destroyed their homes.”
Very beautiful – gorgeous
Example: “The bride looked gorgeous in her wedding gown.”
Very ugly – hideous
Example: “The old painting was hideous, with faded colors and an eerie expression.”
Very dangerous – perilous
Example: “The journey through the mountains was perilous due to steep cliffs and loose rocks.”
Very safe – secure
Example: “The neighborhood felt secure with its 24-hour patrol service.”
Very expensive – costly
Example: “The luxury watch was too costly for my budget.”
Very cheap – affordable
Example: “The store offers affordable options for quality clothing.”
Very tall – towering
Example: “The towering skyscrapers made the city feel larger than life.”
Very short – brief
Example: “The meeting was brief, lasting only fifteen minutes.”
Very old – ancient
Example: “The ancient ruins stood as a testament to a bygone era.”
Very new – brand new
Example: “Her brand-new car still had that fresh, new-car smell.”
Very interesting – fascinating
Example: “The documentary on space was fascinating.”
Very messy – chaotic
Example: “The party was chaotic, with kids running around everywhere.”
Very calm – serene
Example: “The lake was serene, with not a ripple in sight.”
Very exciting – thrilling
Example: “The roller coaster ride was thrilling from start to finish.”
Very nervous – anxious
Example: “She felt anxious before her big presentation.”
Very important – crucial
Example: “It’s crucial that you submit your application by the deadline.”
Very strong smell – pungent
Example: “The pungent smell of garlic filled the kitchen.”
Conclusion
By replacing “very” with these stronger alternatives, your writing will become more vivid and expressive. You’ll avoid repetition, enhance clarity, and keep your readers engaged. Next time you find yourself reaching for “very,” challenge yourself to find a word that says exactly what you mean.
