Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

linking verb

American  

noun

  1. copula.


Etymology

Origin of linking verb

First recorded in 1930–35

Compare meaning

How does linking-verb compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Problem: “A feeling of accomplishment” is a noun phrase followed by a linking verb.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

“I thought about that word, ‘be,’ and how ‘be’ is not only a linking verb, it’s an action verb,” he said.

From New York Times • Jul. 25, 2020

In one episode the shirtless tribal leader Khal Drogo delivered a monologue for two and a half minutes in Dothraki, with its subject-verb-object structure and no copula, or linking verb.

From New York Times • Dec. 11, 2011

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "linking verb" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com