# adverb

/ˈædvɝb/ (US) · /ˈædvɜːb/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adverb
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

a part of speech that describes or adds information to a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It usually explains how, when, where, or how often something happens.

For teachers: a part of speech that modifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or an entire clause. It typically expresses manner, place, time, frequency, or degree.

## Examples

- In the sentence "she ran quickly," the word "quickly" is an adverb.
- When learning English grammar, you will notice that many adverbs of manner end in the letters "ly".
- The placement of an adverb within a sentence can subtly shift its emphasis, distinguishing a sentence-modifying disjunct from a simple modifier of the verb.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.