4 min - Why You Should Stop Saying “Very”
- Better Words for “Very” – Common Replacements
Enhance your English by replacing the word ‘very’ with stronger, more effective vocabulary to sound more fluent and natural in conversations.
Have you ever said, “I’m very tired,” after a long day at school or playing outside? That makes sense—but guess what? There’s a stronger, more exciting way to say the same thing: exhausted. Doesn’t that sound more powerful? Words like that can help you show how you really feel.
We use the word ‘very’ all the time. Very cold, very big, very happy. It’s like putting a little extra on a word to make it stronger. But sometimes, using a better word can say more than “very + something.” Instead of saying “very hungry,” you can say “starving.” Instead of “very sad,” you can say “heartbroken.”
Upgrading your vocabulary helps you sound smarter and more confident. It also makes conversations more fun! When you use stronger, other words for very, people want to listen. You can tell better stories, explain things more clearly, and even do better in school or when learning English.
So, if you’re looking for better words for ‘very’, you’re in the right place.
Why You Should Stop Saying “Very”
Using very can actually make your message weaker. Instead of saying “very big,” try “huge.” It’s clearer and more powerful! There’s always a stronger word that shows exactly what you mean. These words make your conversations more interesting and help your writing sound more grown-up.
Better words also add emotion and color. They help people really feel what you’re saying. So, let’s start swapping out very for something better.
Better Words for “Very” – Common Replacements
What is another word for very? Great question! Instead of using very + a word, you can often use one stronger word that means the same thing, but sounds way better. Such as:
Very Tired → Exhausted
When you’re more than just tired, you’re exhausted!
Example: After the long hike, I was exhausted.
Very Happy → Ecstatic / Elated
If you’re not just happy but super happy, use ecstatic or elated.
Example: She was ecstatic when she won the prize.
Example: He felt elated after hearing the good news.
Very Cold → Freezing
Instead of saying you’re very cold, try freezing—it shows you’re really chilly.
Example: It’s freezing outside—don’t forget your coat!
Very Small → Tiny / Minuscule
Use tiny for something small, and minuscule for something even smaller!
Example: Look at that tiny bug!
Example: The text was so minuscule I couldn’t read it.
Very Big → Massive / Enormous
Big things deserve big words! Massive and enormous are perfect.
Example: The elephant was massive!
Example: We saw an enormous wave at the beach.
Very Fast → Rapid / Swift
Use rapid for quick movements or changes, and swift for smooth, fast action.
Example: The rabbit made a rapid escape.
Example: She gave a swift reply.
Very Smart → Brilliant / Genius
If someone is really smart, try brilliant or genius!
Example: That was a brilliant idea.
Example: He’s a math genius.
Want more? Keep reading for even more awesome replacements.
Synonyms for “Extremely” and Other Intensifiers
Just like very, the word extremely is an intensifier. That means it’s used to make a word stronger—but there’s usually a better way to say it!
Instead of saying extremely + adjective, try using a more powerful word that says it all on its own, like these extremely synonyms:
Extremely Angry → Furious
Extremely Beautiful → Stunning / Gorgeous
By choosing stronger adjectives, your English will sound more natural and confident.
Bonus: Words to Replace “Really,” “Totally,” and “So”
Words like really, totally, and so are just like very and extremely—they’re intensifiers that can be replaced with one stronger word. This helps you sound more natural and clear when you speak or write.
Here are some easy swaps to try:
Really Scared → Terrified
Totally Clean → Spotless
So Tired → Drained
Now you know—there are better words for ‘very’ that can make your English stronger, clearer, and more fun! Instead of using the same old words like very, really, so, or extremely, you can choose exciting new ones that say exactly what you mean. Whether you’re looking for a very synonym, extremely synonyms, or just wondering what is another word for very, you’ve got lots of great options now.
Using a stronger other word for very helps you speak and write with more confidence. And the best way to keep learning is to practice!
Want to learn even more cool words and level up your English? Book a trial lesson with Novakid! With fun teachers and awesome lessons, you’ll get to practice even more ways to sound smart and natural in English.
