Quick answer by GrammarGramps: The word “beautiful” is an adjective. It is an adjective because it describes the quality of a noun, such as a person or a place, e.g., a beautiful baby, a beautiful valley, etc.
The word “beautiful” can also be used as an interjection if it conveys a sudden feeling or emotion. In this case, however, it is followed by an exclamation mark. For instance, “The data shows a constant improvement! Beautiful!” Here, the word is not used because of its literal meaning, but is instead used to express joy.
The adverb form of “beautiful” is “beautifully,” and the noun form of “beautiful” is “beauty.”
Read more about all of this in more detail in the guide below.
Introduction by GrammarGramps
There are some common words in English that are a bit confusing when it comes to their classification in grammatical parts of speech. The word “beautiful” is one of them.
It is fairly expected for ESL students and non-native speakers to wonder whether it is an adjective, an adverb, etc.
In this guide, we’re going to explain what part of speech the word “beautiful” belongs to in detail.
Is “Beautiful” an Adjective?
Yes, the word “beautiful” is an adjective.
“Beautiful” refers to something pleasant to look at. Something pretty. Some common examples of how this word is used include:
- That is a very beautiful painting.
- I find this forest to be relaxing and beautiful.
- This is a beautiful dish.
In all such examples, the word “beautiful” describes the quality of a noun. The painting, the forest, the dish, etc.
As we know, adjectives describe nouns. They describe the qualities of nouns, such as their color, appearance, size, shape, etc. (We’ve covered the basics of adjectives in detail on GrammarGramps, if you’re interested in learning about those.)
Can “Beautiful” Also Act as an Interjection?
Yes, the word “beautiful” can also act as an interjection, in informal contexts.
Sometimes, you might hear a person say “Beautiful!” when beholding something that isn’t physically pleasant to look at. For instance, if Jack shows his uncle how far the donkey can kick the stack of hay, the latter might exclaim “Beautiful!” as a way to express his joy at the strength of the donkey.
It’s possible for neither the donkey nor the hay (nor Jack, for that matter) to be literally beautiful.
When this word is used as an exclamation in this manner, it becomes an interjection in the same way as the words “Sweet!” and “Cold!” are sometimes used to express emotions rather than conveying their literal meanings.
(Note: You can learn more about interjections in the detailed guide here on GrammarGramps.)
“Beautiful” vs “Beautifully”: Adjective and Adverb Difference
One common confusion that can arise regarding the word “beautiful” is its relationship with the word “beautifully.”
Here is the clear rule to remember.
“Beautifully” is the adverb form of the word “beautiful.” “Beautifully” is used to refer to an act that is performed in a beautiful manner. Since it modifies a verb, it is an adverb.
The guide on adverbs on GrammarGramps is a good resource to read if you want to learn more about them in detail, as well as how to avoid confusing them with adjectives.
Table of Comparison + Examples
Here is a table that I have made to give you a quick overview of the differences between these two words, along with examples.
| Word | Part of Speech | Usage | Example Sentence |
| Beautiful | Adjective | Describes a noun | It was a beautiful sunset. |
| Beautifully | Adverb | Modifies how an action is done | He painted the mural beautifully. |
What is the Noun form of “Beautiful”?
The noun form of the word beautiful is beauty.
It is an abstract noun, to be precise, as it names an intangible quality that a person or place (or other type of noun) might possess.
By the way, our guide on nouns and their types is worth looking at, if you want to learn what a noun or abstract noun is.
What is the Verb form of the Word “Beautiful”?
The verb form of the word beautiful is beautify.
To beautify means to make something beautiful. For instance, beautifying a mirror would mean adding decorative elements to it so that it looks pretty and pleasant.
This word falls into the category of action (dynamic) verbs. As with the other concepts mentioned in this guide, the basics of verbs are also covered here on GrammarGramps.
Word Profile: Beautiful
To wrap up, GrammarGramps will give you a word profile on “beautiful,” which will include its meaning, pronunciation, synonyms, and antonyms.
| Feature | Details |
| Word | Beautiful |
| Pronunciation | /ˈbjuː.tɪ.fəl/ |
| Meaning | Pleasing to the senses or mind; having qualities that delight |
| Synonyms | Attractive, lovely, gorgeous |
| Antonyms | Ugly, unattractive |
Related Resources on GrammarGramps
If you want to learn more word-level guides and breakdowns, you can check out these resources:
