You know that little word we all use way too much? Yep, it’s “very”! It’s everywhere, right? We say “very tired”, “very happy”, and even “very very cold” sometimes. But guess what? There are so many better, cooler, and more fun ways to say the same thing without always using “very”. Today, let’s check out some awesome and easy words you can use instead. These words make your writing stronger, more interesting, and less boring. Let's make your English sound more natural and fresh, like chatting with a friend!
1. Extremely
When something is extremely good or bad, it means it's way more than normal. You can use this word to show strong feelings. For example, “I was extremely happy when I saw my test score” or “It was extremely cold last night”. Instead of saying “very big”, try “extremely big”. It makes your sentence sound more serious or exciting. Use this word when you want to give something a lot of power or emotion. It's a simple and useful way to make your words stronger.
2. Really
“Really” is one of the easiest and friendliest words to use instead of “very”. It fits almost everywhere. You can say “really tired”, “really nice”, or “really excited”. For example, “She was really funny at the party” or “This pizza is really delicious!”. It sounds natural in both speaking and writing. It's not too formal or too casual, so it works in most situations. Plus, it feels like something you'd say when chatting with a friend. Try using “really” next time instead of “very”!
3. Truly
“Truly” is a great word when you want to show honesty or deep feeling. Instead of “very sorry”, you can say “truly sorry”. For example, “I am truly grateful for your help” or “That was truly amazing!”. It adds a little more emotion and meaning to your sentence. “Truly” makes your words feel more thoughtful and honest. It's a great word to use in kind messages or when you want to show someone you really mean what you say.
4. Highly
“Highly” works well when you are praising something or someone. Instead of “very recommended”, say “highly recommended”. For example, “This movie is highly entertaining” or “She is highly skilled in painting”. It shows that something is at a great level or standard. It's often used in reviews, jobs, or school work. It sounds a bit more formal than “very”, so it's perfect when you want to sound a little more professional or serious. Still, it's easy to use!
5. Incredibly
This word adds a sense of surprise or amazement. If something is incredibly beautiful, it means it's more than just pretty. You can say, “That mountain view was incredibly stunning” or “He is incredibly smart for his age”. It makes your sentence more exciting. “Incredibly” can help you show strong feelings without saying “very” all the time. Use it when you want to express that something is so good (or bad) that it surprises you!
6. Super
“Super” is fun and friendly. It's like a cool way to say “very” that sounds more casual. Say “super tired”, “super happy”, or “super sweet”. For example, “This cake is super tasty!” or “I'm super excited for the trip!”. It's a word you hear a lot in everyday conversations. It works well in texting, chatting, and informal writing. It's short, easy to use, and sounds modern. Try adding it to your daily talk!
7. Quite
“Quite” is a soft and polite way to say “very”, especially in British English. For example, “The room was quite dark” or “She's quite friendly”. It's not as strong as “extremely”, but it still gives extra meaning. You can use it when you want to be gentle or careful with your words. It sounds thoughtful and calm. Sometimes, “quite good” means it's better than just “okay”, but not amazing. So, it’s useful when you want to be honest without sounding too excited.
8. So
“So” is another simple and powerful word. You can say “so tired”, “so hungry”, or “so kind”. For example, “I'm so glad you're here!” or “He's so funny!”. It's often used in speech and texting because it's quick and clear. It shows emotion and feeling without being too formal. It's great for stories, jokes, or daily conversations. If you want a fun and easy word to replace “very”, then “so” is a perfect choice.
9. Awfully
Even though it sounds a bit negative, “awfully” is used to mean “very” in a strong way. You can say “awfully sorry”, “awfully sweet”, or “awfully late”. For example, “He was awfully kind to me” or “It's awfully hot today”. It adds a lot of feeling to your sentence. It might sound a bit old-fashioned, but it's still fun and clear. Be careful, though—some people might think it sounds too dramatic. But in the right moment, it works great!
10. Terribly
Like “awfully”, this word can sound serious or strong. Say “terribly tired”, “terribly sorry”, or “terribly cold”. For example, “I'm terribly late to the meeting” or “She felt terribly sad about the news”. It can show strong feelings, both good or bad, but often it's used for bad situations. Still, it's a helpful word when you want to show just how big or deep something feels. Use it when regular words don't feel strong enough.
11. Hugely
“Hugely” is all about size or importance. Say “hugely successful”, “hugely popular”, or “hugely talented”. For example, “The event was hugely popular with students” or “That movie was hugely entertaining”. It makes things sound big and powerful. You won't hear it all the time, but it's still simple and fun. It's great for news, reviews, and even social media posts. Use it when you want to say something made a big impact or was a big deal.
12. Deeply
“Deeply” shows strong emotion. It's perfect for feelings like “deeply thankful”, “deeply sad”, or “deeply sorry”. For example, “I am deeply touched by your kindness” or “He was deeply hurt by the comment”. It sounds serious and thoughtful. It's not a casual word, but it's perfect for special moments when you want to show how much something matters. Use it in letters, messages, or speeches when you want your words to feel real and full of feeling.
13. Greatly
This word is often used to show respect or importance. For example, “greatly admired”, “greatly missed”, or “greatly appreciated”. You might say, “Your help is greatly appreciated” or “He is greatly respected by his team”. It sounds polite and professional. It's a nice way to show big emotions in a kind and gentle tone. Use it in thank-you notes, business writing, or formal emails. It helps you show respect without sounding too strong or too casual.
14. Exceptionally
“Exceptionally” means something is way above normal. Like “exceptionally smart”, “exceptionally fast”, or “exceptionally creative”. For example, “She's an exceptionally good writer” or “The food was exceptionally tasty!”. It makes the thing you're talking about sound rare or special. It's a longer word, but still easy to use. Great for school essays, reviews, or compliments. Try using it when something really stands out in a good way.
15. Radically
“Radically” is more about big changes or strong differences. Like “radically different”, “radically improved”, or “radically new”. For example, “The idea was radically simple” or “The design has been radically changed”. It's often used in news, science, or business. It sounds smart and strong. Use it when something has changed a lot or when something is very unusual. It helps show big ideas in a clear way.
16. Especially
“Especially” is used when something stands out more than others. Like “especially important”, “especially nice”, or “especially tasty”. For example, “I love all seasons, but especially spring” or “That movie was especially funny”. It adds extra meaning and focus. It's perfect for when you want to say something is more than usual in a soft, friendly way. It's simple and useful in both speaking and writing. A great choice to replace “very” in many cases!
I hope this list helped you see how many fun and easy ways there are to say “very” without always using the same word. These words can make your writing and speaking more colorful, interesting, and real. You don’t need to be a grammar expert to start using them. Just try a few next time you write or talk. You’ll sound more natural and confident. Language should be fun and friendly, and these words help you get there. Thanks for reading, and keep growing your word power!