B2 Adverbs
B2 adverb vocabulary in alphabetical order with definitions and example sentences.
accidentally
By chance; in a way that was not planned.
Example
As I turned around, I accidentally hit him in the face.
accurately
In a way that is correct and true in every detail.
Example
The article accurately reflects public opinion.
additionally
In a way that is more than was first mentioned or is usual.
Example
Additionally, the bus service will run on Sundays, every two hours.
adequately
In a way that is enough in quantity, or good enough in quality, for a particular purpose or need.
Example
Are you adequately insured?
afterward
At a later or future time; subsequently.
Example
We went for a walk and had dinner afterward.
alongside
Next to or at the side of something.
Example
A police car pulled up alongside us.
annually
Once a year.
Example
The exhibition is held annually.
apparently
According to what you have heard or read; according to the way something appears.
Example
Apparently they are getting divorced soon.
appropriately
In a way that is suitable, acceptable or correct for the particular circumstances.
Example
The government has been accused of not responding appropriately to the needs of the homeless.
aside
To one side; out of the way.
Example
She pulled the curtain aside.
automatically
Without needing a person to operate controls.
Example
The heating switches off automatically.
barely
In a way that is just possible but only with difficulty.
Example
He could barely read and write.
basically
In the most important ways, without considering things that are less important.
Example
I think we are basically saying the same thing.
beyond
On the other side; further on.
Example
Snowdon and the mountains beyond were covered in snow.
briefly
For a short time.
Example
He had spoken to Emma only briefly.
brightly
In a way that gives out or reflects much light; luminously. In a cheerful and lively way.
Example
The sun shone brightly.
broadly
Generally, without considering details.
Example
Broadly speaking, I agree with you.
closely
Near in space or time.
Example
He walked into the room, closely followed by the rest of the family.
commonly
Usually; very often; by most people.
Example
Christopher is commonly known as Kit.
confidently
In a self-assured way that expresses certainty.
Example
He confidently predicted victory.
consequently
As a result; therefore.
Example
This poses a threat to agriculture and the food chain, and consequently to human health.
considerably
Much; a lot.
Example
The need for sleep varies considerably from person to person.
consistently
Always the same.
Example
Her work has been of a consistently high standard.
constantly
All the time; repeatedly.
Example
Fashion is constantly changing.
deeply
Very; very much.
Example
She is deeply religious.
deliberately
Done in a way that was planned, not by chance.
Example
She's been deliberately ignoring him all day.
desperately
In a way that shows you have little hope and are ready to do anything without worrying about danger to yourself or others.
Example
She looked desperately around for a weapon.
downtown
In or towards the centre of a city, especially its main business area.
Example
to go/work downtown
downward
Toward a lower place, point, or level.
Example
The path slopes downward.
dramatically
Very suddenly and to a very great and often surprising degree.
Example
Prices have fallen dramatically.
efficiently
In a good and careful way, with no waste of time, money or energy.
Example
a very efficiently organized event
emotionally
In a way that is connected with people's feelings (= with the emotions).
Example
emotionally disturbed children
entirely
In every way possible; completely.
Example
The experience was entirely new to me.
essentially
When you think about the true, important or basic nature of somebody/something.
Example
There are three essentially different ways of tackling the problem.
extensively
In a way that covers a large area.
Example
She has travelled extensively.
firmly
In a strong or definite way.
Example
‘I can manage,’ she said firmly.
formerly
In the past.
Example
Namibia, formerly known as South West Africa
freely
Without anyone trying to prevent or control something.
Example
the country’s first freely elected president
full-time
For all the hours of a week during which people normally work or study, rather than just for a part of it.
Example
students in full-time education
fully
Completely.
Example
I fully understand your motives.
fundamentally
In every way that is important; completely.
Example
The two approaches are fundamentally different.
genuinely
Truly; in a way that is exactly what it appears to be and is not artificial.
Example
There are some genuinely funny moments in the film.
gradually
Slowly, over a long period of time.
Example
to gradually increase/decrease
greatly
Very much.
Example
People's reaction to the film has varied greatly.
hence
For this reason.
Example
We suspect they are trying to hide something, hence the need for an independent inquiry.
increasingly
More and more all the time.
Example
Tourism is playing an increasingly important role in the region's economy
inevitably
As is certain to happen.
Example
Inevitably, the press exaggerated the story.
initially
At the beginning.
Example
Initially, the system worked well.
instantly
Immediately.
Example
Her voice is instantly recognizable.
largely
To a great extent; mostly or mainly.
Example
The manager was largely responsible for the team’s victory.
lately
Recently; in the recent past.
Example
Have you seen her lately?
likewise
The same; in a similar way.
Example
He voted for the change and he expected his colleagues to do likewise.
moreover
Used to introduce some new information that adds to or supports what you have said previously.
Example
A talented artist, he was, moreover, a writer of some note.
nearby
A short distance from somebody/something; not far away.
Example
They live nearby.
nevertheless
Despite something that you have just mentioned.
Example
There is little chance that we will succeed in changing the law. Nevertheless, it is important that we try.
newly
Recently.
Example
a newly qualified doctor
nowadays
At the present time, in contrast with the past.
Example
Nowadays most kids prefer going online to reading books.
occasionally
Sometimes but not often.
Example
We occasionally meet for a drink after work.
openly
Without hiding any feelings, opinions or information.
Example
Can you talk openly about sex with your parents?
overall
Including everything or everyone; in total.
Example
The company will invest $1.6m overall in new equipment.
overnight
During or for the night.
Example
We stayed overnight in London after the theatre.
overseas
To or in a foreign country, especially those separated from your country by the sea or ocean.
Example
to live/work/go overseas
part-time
For part of the day or week in which people work.
Example
She's looking for a part-time job.
partly
To some extent; not completely.
Example
Some people are unwilling to attend the classes partly because of the cost involved.
permanently
In a way that lasts for a long time or for all time in the future; in a way that exists all the time.
Example
The stroke left his right side permanently damaged.
potentially
Used to say that something may develop into something.
Example
a potentially dangerous situation
precisely
Exactly.
Example
They look precisely the same to me.
primarily
Mainly.
Example
a course designed primarily for specialists
purely
Only; completely.
Example
I saw the letter purely by chance.
rapidly
Very quickly; at a great rate.
Example
to increase/spread/expand rapidly
reasonably
To a degree that is fairly good but not very good.
Example
The instructions are reasonably straightforward.
relatively
To a fairly large degree, especially in comparison to something else.
Example
relatively large/small/high/low
remarkably
In a way that is unusual or surprising and causes people to take notice.
Example
The car is in remarkably good condition for its age.
roughly
Approximately but not exactly.
Example
Sales are up by roughly 10 per cent.
severely
Very badly or seriously.
Example
severely injured
shortly
A short time; not long.
Example
She arrived shortly after us.
significantly
In a way that is large or important enough to have an effect on something or to be noticed.
Example
significantly higher/lower/larger/smaller
somehow
In a way that is not known or certain.
Example
We must stop him from seeing her somehow.
somewhat
To some degree.
Example
somewhat different/similar
strictly
With a lot of control and rules that must be obeyed.
Example
She was brought up very strictly.
subsequently
Afterwards; later; after something else has happened.
Example
The original interview notes were subsequently lost.
sufficiently
Enough for a particular purpose; as much as you need.
Example
The following day she felt sufficiently well to go to work.
temporarily
In a way that lasts or is intended to last or be used only for a short time; in a way that is not permanent.
Example
We regret this service is temporarily unavailable.
thoroughly
Very much; completely.
Example
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
thus
In this way; like this.
Example
Many scholars have argued thus.
truly
Used to emphasize that a particular statement, feeling, etc. is sincere or real.
Example
She truly believes that none of this is her fault.
ultimately
In the end; finally.
Example
A poor diet will ultimately lead to illness.
upward
Toward a higher place or level.
Example
The bird flew upward into the sky.
widely
By a lot of people; in or to many places.
Example
The term is widely used in everyday speech.