ADVERB
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An
adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb (modifiers
of nouns are called adjectives).
Adverbs typically answer one of the following questions:
1. How?
2. When?
3. Where?
4. In what way?
5. How often?
Adverbs can often be picked out by looking for a -ly,
-wise, or -ways ending: extremely,
quickly, clockwise, and sideways
are all adverbs.
Examples of adverbs (in italics) in English sentences:
The runner won the race easily.
I am doing well.
The comedian made us all laugh very hard.
For more on adverbs, visit this article.
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ADVERB
ARCHIVES
Key: The word's language of origin appears directly below it, and to the right of that is an example sentence and an etymology, along with any related themes.
Word |
Phonetic Pronunciation |
Part of Speech |
Definition |
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a-pre-PO |
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1. (as an adverb) at an opportune time; seasonably
2. (as an adjective) being to the point |
Ex.
Ex. 2.
Etym. |
Your arrival was apropos (adv).
I appreciate the clarity of an apropos speech (adj).
French à propos, "to the
purpose"
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WI-dur-shinz |
adverb |
1. in a direction opposite to the usual; the wrong way; counterclockwise
2. in a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun (considered as unlucky or causing disaster) |
Ex.
Etym.
Rel. Themes:
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"The coracle whirled round, clockwise, then widdershins." (Anthony Bailey)
Chiefly a Scottish dialect word, probably from Middle Low German weddersinnes, lit. "against the way"
Likely Literary, Little-known Synonyms, Sounds Silly
Technically not a German word, since modern German (or "New High German") is different from the Middle Low German (c. 1100 - c. 1500) from which this word is likely descended
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