¹adverb

noun ad·verb \ˈad-ˌvərb\

: a word that describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or a sentence and that is often used to show time, manner, place, or degree

Full Definition of ADVERB

: a word belonging to one of the major form classes in any of numerous languages, typically serving as a modifier of a verb, an adjective, another adverb, a preposition, a phrase, a clause, or a sentence, expressing some relation of manner or quality, place, time, degree, number, cause, opposition, affirmation, or denial, and in English also serving to connect and to express comment on clause content — compare adjunct, conjunct, disjunct

See adverb defined for English-language learners

See adverb defined for kids

Origin of ADVERB

Middle English adverbe, from Middle French, from Latin adverbium, from ad- + verbum word — more at word

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with ADVERB

acerb, disturb, exurb, perturb, potherb, pro-verb, proverb, reverb, suburb, superb

²adverb

adjective

Definition of ADVERB

: adverbial

First Known Use of ADVERB

1879

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

ADVERB Defined for Kids

adverb

noun ad·verb \ˈad-ˌvərb\

Definition of ADVERB for Kids

: a word used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb and often used to show degree, manner, place, or time <The words “almost” and “very” in “at almost three o'clock on a very hot day” are adverbs.>