very much

very much (not comparable)

1. Extremely. (Used to modify a verb. To modify an adjective or an adverb, very is used.)

   His two cousins are very much alike.

   I am very much aware you'd very much like to see me again.

   That town was still very much a simple farming community, but something was very much the matter.

2. Indeed.
   • 2015 March 4, Louise Taylor, The Guardian‎:

     An apparent first-half spitting contest between Papiss Cissé and Jonny Evans provided unwanted controversy on a night when Ashley Young’s late winner kept Manchester United’s hopes of Champions League qualification very much alive.

• above a bit (Chester)
• a lot
• really

• so much