content word

Definitions of content word

1. noun

   a word to which an independent meaning can be assigned
   synonyms: open-class word

   types:

   head word, headword

   a content word that can be qualified by a modifier

   noun

   a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action

   verb

   a content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence

   modifier, qualifier

   a content word that qualifies the meaning of a noun or verb

   collective noun

   a noun that is singular in form but refers to a group of people or things

   mass noun

   a noun that does not form plurals

   count noun

   a noun that forms plurals

   generic noun

   a noun that does not specify either masculine or feminine gender

   proper name, proper noun

   a noun that denotes a particular thing; usually capitalized

   common noun

   a noun that denotes any or all members of a class

   intensifier, intensive

   a modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies

   adjective

   a word that expresses an attribute of something

   adverb

   a word that modifies something other than a noun

   dangling modifier, misplaced modifier

   a word or phrase apparently modifying an unintended word because of its placement in a sentence: e.g., `when young' in `when young, circuses appeal to all of us'

   reflexive verb

   a verb whose agent performs an action that is directed at the agent

   copula, copulative, linking verb

   an equating verb (such as `be' or `become') that links the subject with the complement of a sentence

   frequentative

   a verb form that serves to express frequent repetition of an action

   appositive

   a noun or noun phrase that is in apposition

   type of:

   word

   a unit of language that native speakers can identify