adverb

IPA/ˈædvɜːb/
KK[ˈædvɚb]IPA/ˈædvɜːrb/

adverb — noun

  • adverbsingular
  • adverbsplural

1. a word that tells you how, when, where, or how much something happens, and can a

1.nounA2
Definition

a word that tells you how, when, where, or how much something happens, and can also modify words like adjectives, other adverbs, or even a whole clause.

Example

In 'Mina sings beautifully,' 'beautifully' is an adverb.

adverb modifying a verb

During grammar class, Walid circled the adverb 'outside' in blue.

Common collocations
  • adverb of time
  • adverb of place
  • adverb of manner
  • adverb of degree
  • sentence adverb
Synonyms
  • adverbial

    broader grammar term that can describe adverb functions, not only the word class itself

  • modifier

    much wider term that also includes adjectives, phrases, and clauses

Antonyms
  • adjective

    often contrasted with adverbs because adjectives modify nouns rather than verbs

Grammar Patterns

an adverb

adverb + of + time / place / manner / degree

Usage Note

Many adverbs in English end in -ly, but not all of them do. Words like 'here', 'outside', and 'tomorrow' are also adverbs even though they have a different form.

Common Mistakes

She sings beautiful.
She sings beautifully.
Use an adverb, not an adjective, to describe how someone sings.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

An adverb is a specific word class that usually adds information about an action, a quality, or another adverb: it may show manner, time, place, or degree. An adjective is different because it mainly describes a noun, as in 'a quick train' or 'a quiet room.' 'Modifier' is the broadest term of the three. It can include an adverb, an adjective, or a longer phrase that adds detail. So every adverb can work as a modifier, but not every modifier is an adverb. In class, say 'adverb' when you are naming the word class itself; use 'modifier' only when you want a wider grammar label.

adverb ↗adjective ↗modifier ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'adverb' came into English from Latin grammar through French. Its Latin form, 'adverbium,' was built from parts meaning 'to' and 'word', and it was used for words added to a verb or clause to give extra detail. English has kept that grammar meaning since the Middle Ages.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined above Adjective