In the phrase "very bright," what is the function of the word "very"?

In the phrase "very bright," the word "very" functions as an adverb. Adverbs modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs and typically answer questions like how, when, where, and to what extent. Here, "very" enhances the meaning of the adjective "bright" by intensifying it. This means that "very" indicates the degree to which something is bright. By adding "very," the phrase conveys a stronger sense of brightness than "bright" alone would suggest.

In contrast to the other options, "very" cannot be a noun or a verb, as it does not represent a person, place, thing, or action. Instead, it serves to modify the adjective, fulfilling the role of an adverb effectively.