# greatly

/ˈɡɹeɪtɫi/ (US) · /ɡɹˈeɪtli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/greatly
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. very much

adverb · CEFR B2

to a very large degree or extent.

For teachers: to a considerable extent or degree; used as an intensifier for verbs and participles.

- The new laws will greatly improve the safety of workers in the factory.
- The success of the local initiative was greatly enhanced by the unexpected support of several international non-governmental organisations.

Usage: Typically placed before the verb it modifies or before a past participle acting as an adjective.

### 2. nobly

adverb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

in a noble or brave way.

For teachers: in a noble, magnanimous, or high-minded manner.

- The knight behaved greatly even when he was facing defeat.
- He bore his exile greatly, never once stooping to bitter recriminations against those who had betrayed his trust.

Teaching tip: This sense is rare in modern English; learners will mostly encounter it in historical literature or poetry.

## Examples

- The new laws will greatly affect how we do business.
- The quality of the local schools greatly influenced their decision to move to this neighborhood.
- While the initial results were promising, the final outcome of the experiment was greatly hindered by a series of unforeseen technical malfunctions in the laboratory equipment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.