# participle

/ˈpɑɹtɪˌsɪpəɫ/ (US) · /pɑːtˈɪsɪpəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/participle
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

a form of a verb that helps make tenses or works like an adjective. You see it in words like going in is going or eaten in has eaten.

For teachers: a non-finite verb form that helps form compound tenses and can modify nouns in a way similar to adjectives. English distinguishes present participles ending in -ing and past participles often ending in -ed or -en.

## Examples

- The word running is a participle in this sentence.
- In English class we learn that broken in broken window is a past participle used as an adjective.
- Linguists note that the participle blurs the line between verb and adjective, carrying verbal meaning while modifying nouns like an adjective does.

---

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.