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participle

/ˌpɑrdəˈsɪpəl/

/pɑˈtɪsɪpəl/

Other forms: participles

A participle is a verb that acts like an adjective, like a running leap, scorned lover, or boiled egg.

This is a technical word that will come up when you're studying grammar or linguistics. From a Greek root meaning “partaker,” a participle wants to partake of both the verb and adjective worlds. If you said, "I need a running start!" before a race, running is a participle. If you notice a trapped bear, trapped is the participle. This is a word that is a little confusing to understand, even though you use participles all the time.

Definitions of participle
  1. noun
    a non-finite form of the verb; in English it is used adjectivally and to form compound tenses
    synonyms: participial
    see moresee less
    types:
    present participle
    a participle expressing present action; in English is formed by adding -ing
    past participle, perfect participle
    a participle that expresses completed action
    type of:
    verb
    the word class that serves as the predicate of a sentence
Pronunciation
US

/ˌpɑrdəˈsɪpəl/

UK

/pɑˈtɪsɪpəl/

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