Adverbverbs

Adverbverb is a neologism used in some discussions of word formation to describe a form that can function as both an adverb and a verb, depending on language and context. The term is not part of standard grammar and does not denote a fixed universal category. Broadly defined, adverbverbs are forms that can operate in adverbial functions or appear as verbs with related meanings, often sharing the same surface form in both roles.

In practice, adverbverbs are discussed as items that blur the line between verb and adverb. In English, the word fast is sometimes cited as illustrating this duality: as a verb it can mean to refrain from eating (to fast), while as an adverb it modifies verbs (run fast). Other languages may exhibit similar dual-use forms, where a single form carries a verb-like meaning in some contexts and an adverbial meaning in others, sometimes through zero derivation or simple suffixation.

Typologically, adverbverbs are often described in terms of syntactic flexibility rather than a fixed class. They may participate in adverbial positions—modifying action or clause level meaning—while also appearing in verb-like positions with related semantics. The exact behavior of such forms varies across languages, making cross-linguistic generalizations difficult.

Criticism and alternatives: Because adverbverb lacks a stable, widely accepted definition, many linguists prefer analysis within established categories such as deverbal adverbs, adverbial derivations, or straight verb/adverb pairs. The term is most often encountered in descriptive discussions, language games, or hypothetical typologies rather than in prescriptive grammar.

See also: Adverb, Verb, Adverbial, Word formation, Typology.