What does adverb mean?
An adverb is a word that modifies or qualifies other parts of a sentence — most often a verb, but also an adjective, another adverb, or an entire clause. Adverbs answer questions such as how, when, where, how often, and to what degree: 'quickly' describes manner, 'yesterday' indicates time, 'very' expresses intensity, and 'perhaps' signals uncertainty. Many English adverbs are formed by adding -ly to an adjective, though numerous common ones — including 'fast', 'well', and 'never' — take no such ending. The term entered English in the early modern period, borrowed from Latin grammar, where it combined the words for 'toward' and 'word'. While indispensable for precision, adverbs have a mixed reputation among writers: style guides from Hemingway onward have urged restraint, arguing that a strong verb usually outperforms a verb propped up by an adverb. Still, used judiciously, they add nuance, rhythm, and clarity to everyday language.
nounA word that modifies or qualifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a whole clause, typically expressing manner, place, time, frequency, degree, or level of certainty.
- A word that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or clause, indicating manner, place, time, frequency, degree, or certainty.
"She walked quickly across the room, the adverb 'quickly' sharpening the sense of her haste."
"In the sentence 'He ran swiftly,' the word swiftly is an adverb describing how he ran."
"English teachers often warn students against overusing adverbs like 'very' and 'really' as a substitute for vivid description."
Standard regular plural; used when discussing the class of such words collectively.
"Adverbs of frequency include 'always', 'often', and 'never'."
The word 'adverb' is barely four centuries old — grammarians borrowed Latin's ad + verbum to name the class of words we now love to hate in style guides.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of adverb
The word 'adverb' comes from Latin 'adverbium', formed from 'ad' ('toward') plus 'verbum' ('word'), reflecting the idea of a word directed at or attached to a verb. It was adopted into English grammatical terminology in the early modern period, likely via French or scholarly Latin usage, as classical grammars were systematized for English. It shares its root with related terms such as 'adjective' and 'verbal', all ultimately tracing back to Latin 'verbum'.
Related word forms
How adverb is actually used
A purely grammatical term with no emotional connotation; used in formal and educational contexts. Some adverbs (so-called flat adverbs, like 'fast' or 'hard') share form with adjectives.
Easily confused with adverb
An adjective modifies a noun, whereas an adverb modifies verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or clauses.