Thanks to South African writing teacher Amanda Patterson for this table of words that will help you avoid using the word “very” in your writing.
Why avoid it? It’s lazy and ineffective. Remember the advice of Mark Twain: Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very”; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.
Or, you can use one of the words below to make your writing more powerful. To see the whole table at once, select “Show 50 entries” using the drop-down box below.
45 words to help you avoid using the word "very"
Instead of saying very ... :
Say:
afraid
terrified
angry
furious
bad
atrocious
beautiful
exquisite
big
immense
bright
dazzling
capable
accomplished
clean
spotless
clever
brilliant
cold
freezing
conventional
conservative
dirty
squalid
dry
parched
eager
keen
fast
quick
fierce
ferocious
good
superb
happy
jubilant
hot
scalding
hungry
ravenous
large
colossal
lively
vivacious
loved
adored
neat
immaculate
old
ancient
poor
destitute
pretty
beautiful
quiet
silent
risky
perilous
roomy
spacious
rude
vulgar
serious
solemn
small
tiny
strong
unyielding
stupid
idiotic
tasty
delicious
thin
gaunt
tired
exhausted
ugly
hideous
valuable
precious
weak
feeble
wet
soaked
wicked
villainous
wise
sagacious
worried
anxious
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