Very vs. Absolutely — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
"Very" is an adverb enhancing the degree of an adjective/adverb, while "Absolutely" is an adverb denoting complete agreement or total certainty.
Difference Between Very and Absolutely
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Very" and "Absolutely" are both adverbs, but they serve different primary purposes in sentences. While "Very" often amplifies the intensity or degree of an adjective or another adverb, "Absolutely" conveys an unconditional or total aspect of certainty or agreement.
When someone uses "Very," they are usually emphasizing or intensifying a specific quality. For instance, saying "very tall" implies taller than just "tall." On the other hand, "Absolutely" can signify full agreement, as in "I absolutely agree with you," stressing total concurrence.
In various contexts, "Very" can simply enhance a descriptor without offering extreme emphasis. For instance, "It's very warm" may not mean extremely hot but warmer than usual. In contrast, "Absolutely" often has a more definitive stance, such as in "It's absolutely impossible," indicating no room for doubt.
One can often find "Very" employed to subtly stress a point, giving just a bit more weight to a statement. "Absolutely," in many instances, is more assertive and can make a declaration more resounding or definitive.
Both words, while having distinct primary uses, contribute to the richness of English by allowing speakers to add different shades of emphasis to their statements. Whether one is trying to gently emphasize with "Very" or declare with more finality using "Absolutely," these words enhance communication depth.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Enhancing degree of adjective/adverb
Denoting total certainty or complete agreement
Intensity
Moderate emphasis
Strong emphasis
Flexibility
Can be used with various adjectives/adverbs
Often used for definitive statements or agreements
Common Context
Descriptions
Affirmations, certainties
Synonyms
Really, quite
Totally, completely
Compare with Definitions
Very
Used to emphasize an adjective or adverb.
She was very excited about the trip.
Absolutely
Without any doubt; completely.
She was absolutely sure of her decision.
Very
Expressing high degree or intensity.
The movie was very interesting.
Absolutely
Used to express strong agreement.
“Do you like it?” “Absolutely!”
Very
Signifying exactness or precision.
That's the very reason I declined.
Absolutely
Used to emphasize a strong or exaggerated statement.
The pie was absolutely delicious.
Very
Used for slight emphasis.
It's very nice to meet you.
Absolutely
Without qualification or restriction; completely
The substance was absolutely pure.
Very
In a high degree; extremely
Very happy.
Very much admired.
Absolutely
Used as an intensive
I absolutely love that restaurant. That's absolutely ridiculous.
Very
Truly; absolutely
The very best advice.
Attended the very same schools.
Absolutely
As you say. Used to indicate agreement.
Very
Very Used in titles
The Very Reverend Jane Smith.
Absolutely
In a manner that does not take an object.
Very
Complete; absolute
At the very end of his career.
Absolutely
In an absolute relationship.
Very
Being the same; identical
That is the very question she asked yesterday.
Absolutely
In an absolute or unconditional manner; utterly, positively, wholly.
Very
Being particularly suitable or appropriate
The very item needed to increase sales.
Absolutely
Independently; viewed without relation to other things or factors.
Very
Used to emphasize the importance of what is specified
The very mountains shook.
Absolutely
(grammar) In a manner that does not take an object.
Very
Being nothing more than what is specified; mere
The very act of riding in the car made him dizzy.
Absolutely
Yes; certainly; expression indicating strong agreement.
Very
(Archaic) Genuine; true
"Like very sanctity, she did approach" (Shakespeare).
Absolutely
In an absolute, independent, or unconditional manner; wholly; positively.
Very
(literary) True, real, actual.
The fierce hatred of a very woman.
The very blood and bone of our grammar.
He tried his very best.
We're approaching the very end of the trip.
Absolutely
Completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers;
An absolutely magnificent painting
A perfectly idiotic idea
You're perfectly right
Utterly miserable
You can be dead sure of my innocence
Was dead tired
Dead right
Very
The same; identical.
He proposed marriage in the same restaurant, at the very table where they first met.
That's the very tool that I need.
Absolutely
Totally and definitely; without question;
We are absolutely opposed to the idea
He forced himself to lie absolutely still
Iron is absolutely necessary
Very
With limiting effect: mere.
Absolutely
In a manner that's not limited by anything.
The results were absolutely clear.
Very
To a great extent or degree.
That dress is very you.
Not very many (of them) had been damaged.
She's very like her mother.
‘Is she busy?’ ― ‘Not very.’
Absolutely
With no exception or condition.
Absolutely everyone must attend the meeting.
Very
Conforming to fact, reality or rule; true.
Very
(with superlatives) Used to firmly establish that nothing else surpasses in some respect.
He was the very best runner there.
Very
True; real; actual; veritable.
Whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
The very essence of truth is plainness and brightness.
I looked on the consideration of public service or public ornament to be real and very justice.
Very
In a high degree; to no small extent; exceedingly; excessively; extremely; as, a very great mountain; a very bright sun; a very cold day; the river flows very rapidly; he was very much hurt.
Very
Precisely as stated;
The very center of town
Very
Being the exact same one; not any other:;
This is the identical room we stayed in before
The themes of his stories are one and the same
Saw the selfsame quotation in two newspapers
On this very spot
The very thing he said yesterday
The very man I want to see
Very
Used to give emphasis to the relevance of the thing modified;
His very name struck terror
Caught in the very act
Very
Used to give emphasis;
The very essence of artistic expression is invention
The very back of the room
Very
Used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal;
She was very gifted
He played very well
A really enjoyable evening
I'm real sorry about it
A rattling good yarn
Very
Precisely so;
On the very next page
He expected the very opposite
Very
Denoting actuality or identity.
This is the very place we first met.
Common Curiosities
When might someone use "Absolutely"?
When expressing total agreement or certainty, as in "I absolutely agree."
Are both "Very" and "Absolutely" adverbs?
Yes, both are adverbs, but they're used for different types of emphasis.
Can "Absolutely" be used to agree with someone?
Yes, it can denote strong agreement, like responding with "Absolutely!" to a statement.
Can "Very" and "Absolutely" be used interchangeably?
Not always. While both are intensifiers, "Absolutely" often denotes stronger emphasis or complete agreement.
Can "Very" be overused in conversation?
Yes, overusing "Very" can diminish its emphasis and make speech seem repetitive.
What's a synonym for "Very"?
A synonym for "Very" is "Really."
How do "Very" and "Absolutely" affect sentence tone?
"Very" adds moderate emphasis, while "Absolutely" can make a statement more definitive or resounding.
What's a common use for "Very"?
"Very" is often used to intensify an adjective, like "very cold."
Can "Very" be used before nouns?
Not typically. "Very" usually modifies adjectives or adverbs, not nouns directly.
Is "Absolutely" always about agreement?
No, it can also denote complete certainty or emphasize a statement's totality.
What's a synonym for "Absolutely"?
A synonym for "Absolutely" is "Totally."
Are there contexts where "Very" is preferred over "Absolutely"?
Yes, in situations needing subtle emphasis, "Very" might be more appropriate.
Do both "Very" and "Absolutely" have origins in the English language?
Yes, both words have deep roots in English, with "Very" from Old French and "Absolutely" from Latin origins.
Is "Absolutely" more emphatic than "Very"?
Generally, yes. "Absolutely" often carries a stronger emphasis.
Can "Absolutely" be used to express exaggeration?
Yes, it can be used for emphasis, sometimes leading to exaggerated statements.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
