Gradadverb

Gradadverb, also called a degree adverb or intensifier, is a word class that expresses the degree or intensity of a property, an action, or of another modifier. Degree adverbs function as modifiers that scale the meaning of the word they accompany. They are common across languages and can denote emphasis, approximation, or limitation of scope.

Intensifiers such as very, extremely, utterly, and completely raise the degree of an adjective or another adverb: a very tall building, extremely slow progress, or almost completely finished. Downtoners such as slightly, somewhat, mildly, and barely lower the degree: somewhat interesting, barely touched. Some degree adverbs can also modify entire verb phrases: she spoke very quickly. The same word can function flexibly in different contexts, producing nuanced meaning through placement and combination with other modifiers.

Syntax and scope vary by language, but in many languages degree adverbs precede the modified term and form part of an adverb phrase. In English they typically sit before the adjective or adverb they modify; multiple degree adverbs can stack to yield subtle shades of meaning (very, almost, too). Some degree adverbs exist as affixes or postposed particles in other languages, reflecting different morphosyntactic patterns.

Cross-linguistic variation includes a range of expressions—particles, affixes, or fixed words—that encode degree. Degree adverbs interact with negation and modality, and their use is often stylistically marked; overuse can be seen as emphatic or informal. See also adverb, intensifier, downtoner.