gerund

ger·und

noun \ˈjer-ənd, ˈje-rənd\

Definition of GERUND

1

: a verbal noun in Latin that expresses generalized or uncompleted action

2

: any of several linguistic forms analogous to the Latin gerund in languages other than Latin; especially : the English verbal noun ending in -ing that has the function of a substantive and at the same time shows the verbal features of tense, voice, and capacity to take adverbial qualifiers and to govern objects

Examples of GERUND

1. In the sentence “Learning can be fun,” “learning” is a gerund.

Origin of GERUND

Late Latin gerundium, from Latin gerundus, gerundive of gerere to bear, carry on

First Known Use: 1513

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with GERUND

errand