linking verb

noun

: a word or expression (such as a form of be, become, feel, or seem) that links a subject with its predicate

Examples of linking verb in a Sentence

“Look” in “you look happy” and “are” in “my favorite fruits are apples and oranges” are linking verbs.

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of linking verb was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near linking verb

Cite this Entry

“Linking verb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linking%20verb. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

linking verb

noun
: an intransitive verb (as be or seem) that links a subject with a word or words in the predicate
"look" in "you look happy" and "are" in "my favorite fruits are apples and oranges" are linking verbs
compare action verb
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!