vastly
UK: ˈvɑːstli | US: ˈvæstli
adv. to a very great extent or degree
adv. in a vast manner; immensely
The word "vastly" derives from the adjective "vast," which entered English in the late 16th century from Latin vastus (meaning "empty, desolate, immense"). The suffix "-ly" is an Old English adverbial marker, turning adjectives into adverbs. Over time, "vastly" evolved to emphasize extreme scale or degree, retaining the core idea of immensity from its Latin root while adopting a more abstract, intensifying function in modern usage.
The city has grown vastly over the past decade.
Her understanding of the subject improved vastly after the workshop.
The two versions differ vastly in style and content.
Technology has vastly changed how we communicate.
The project’s scope was vastly underestimated.