Stop Saying "Very"! Better Words to Use in English

Feb 19, 2025

Are you guilty of overusing the word "very"? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! While "very" can emphasize meaning, using it too often makes writing and speech less impactful. Luckily, English has a rich vocabulary filled with stronger, more precise words that can replace "very" and make your language more engaging.

Let’s explore some excellent alternatives to "very" and boost your vocabulary!

Why You Should Stop Saying "Very"

Using "very" repeatedly can make your language sound weak and repetitive. Instead of saying "very cold," why not say "freezing"? Instead of "very happy," why not say "ecstatic"? Replacing "very" with a more descriptive word makes your speech and writing more dynamic and vivid.

Better Alternatives to "Very"

Here are some strong replacements for common "very" phrases:

Very cold → Freezing
Very hot → Scorching
Very tired → Exhausted
Very happy → Ecstatic
Very sad → Heartbroken
Very smart → Brilliant
Very funny → Hilarious
Very small → Tiny
Very big → Gigantic
Very fast → Rapid
Very slow → Sluggish
Very hungry → Starving
Very strong → Powerful
Very weak → Frail
Very beautiful → Gorgeous
Very ugly → Hideous
Very easy → Effortless
Very difficult → Arduous
Very angry → Furious
Very old → Ancient
Very new → Brand-new
Very bright → Radiant
Very dark → Pitch-black
Very noisy → Deafening
Very quiet → Silent
Very clean → Spotless
Very dirty → Filthy
Very cheap → Bargain
Very expensive → Costly
Very tall → Towering
Very short → Petite
Very anxious → Overwhelmed
Very confused → Perplexed
Very rude → Insolent
Very polite → Courteous
Very lazy → Indolent
Very energetic → Exuberant
Very interesting → Fascinating
Very boring → Dull
Very wet → Soaked
Very dry → Parched
Very shy → Timid
Very brave → Courageous

Eliminating "very" from your vocabulary isn’t about sounding overly fancy—it’s about making your English more expressive and powerful. The next time you catch yourself saying "very," take a moment to find a stronger alternative.