easy
Quickly is the adverb in “The rabbit moved quickly.”
What does Adverb mean?
An adverb adds information about an action, description, other adverb, or whole sentence.
Dictionary definition
An adverb is a word class that adds information to a verb, adjective, another adverb, phrase, clause, or whole sentence. Adverbs often express manner, time, place, degree, frequency, or a speaker's view of the entire statement.
Example sentences
Adverb in a sentence
medium
In “The water was very cold,” very is an adverb modifying the adjective cold.
medium
Tomorrow is an adverb in “We will finish tomorrow” because it tells when.
hard
Luckily, the rain stopped before the outdoor concert began.
hard
Fast can be an adjective in “a fast train” and an adverb in “the train moved fast.”
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Adverb
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What is an adverb?
Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, and even whole sentences.
Practice 2
Which word is an adverb in “The extremely bright light faded slowly” ?
Extremely is an adverb modifying the adjective bright. Slowly is also an adverb, but it is not one of the choices.
Practice 3
Choose the best adverb: The team checks the data ____ before reporting a result.
Carefully is an adverb describing how the team checks the data.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Adverb
Voice settings
Sounds like
ad · vurb · strongest beat: ad
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordAdverb.
Partnoun.
MeaningAdverb means An adverb adds information about an action, description, other adverb, or whole sentence.
ExampleExample: Quickly is the adverb in “The rabbit moved quickly.”
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- ad · vurb
- Strongest beat
- ad
- Ending
- vurb
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on ad.
Your turn
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Nice work—you practiced adverb.
Synonyms
Words like Adverb
modifierA broader grammar term; an adverb is one kind of modifier, but modifiers can also be adjectives or larger phrases.
adverbialA technical term for a word, phrase, or clause doing an adverb-like job; it is broader than the word class adverb.
Antonym review
Does Adverb have an opposite?
Adverb has no direct antonym. Adjective is a related contrasting class, but adverbs and adjectives modify different targets and are not opposites.
Synonym practice
Want to practice adverb synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The adverb quickly told how Mia walked," then compare close word choices. Practice adverb synonyms.
Word family
Adverb word family
Base word
adverb
noun
adverbs
More than one adverb.
adjective
adverbial
Having the function of an adverb; an adverbial can be a word, phrase, or clause.
adverb
adverbially
In a way that functions as an adverb; this is mainly a technical grammar term.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Adverb
Hint for students
Ask how, when, where, how often, or to what degree, and check whether the word comments on the whole sentence.
Common mix-up
Not every adverb ends in -ly: fast, often, here, and tomorrow can be adverbs. Not every -ly word is an adverb either; friendly and lonely are usually adjectives.
Try it in class or at home
Sort ten words into always adverb, sometimes adverb depending on context, and not usually adverb. Then use three in sentences and draw an arrow to the verb, adjective, adverb, or whole sentence each one modifies.
Teacher prompt
In “The very careful student answered calmly,” what does each adverb modify, and how would the meaning change if either adverb were removed?
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Learning activities
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