function word

/ˌfʌŋ(k)ʃən ˈwʌrd/

Other forms: function words

Definitions of function word

1. noun

   a word that is uninflected and serves a grammatical function but has little identifiable meaning
   synonyms: closed-class word

   types:

   determinative, determiner

   one of a limited class of noun modifiers that determine the referents of noun phrases

   preposition

   a function word that combines with a noun or pronoun or noun phrase to form a prepositional phrase that can have an adverbial or adjectival relation to some other word

   pronoun

   a function word that is used in place of a noun or noun phrase

   conjunction, conjunctive, connective, continuative

   an uninflected function word that serves to conjoin words or phrases or clauses or sentences

   particle

   a function word that can be used in English to form phrasal verbs

   article

   (grammar) a determiner that may indicate the specificity of reference of a noun phrase

   anaphoric pronoun

   a pronoun that refers to an antecedent

   demonstrative, demonstrative pronoun

   a pronoun that points out an intended referent

   coordinating conjunction

   a conjunction (like `and' or `or') that connects two identically constructed grammatical constituents

   subordinate conjunction, subordinating conjunction

   a conjunction (like `since' or `that' or `who') that introduces a dependent clause

   personal pronoun

   a pronoun expressing a distinction of person

   reciprocal pronoun

   a pronoun or pronominal phrase (as `each other') that expresses a mutual action or relationship between the individuals indicated in the plural subject

   relative pronoun

   a pronoun (as `that' or `which' or `who') that introduces a relative clause referring to some antecedent

   type of:

   word

   a unit of language that native speakers can identify