The word "are" is a form of the verb "to be," used primarily in the present tense. It serves as a linking verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a complement, which can be a noun, adjective, or phrase. For example, in the sentence "They are teachers," the word "are" links the subject they to the complement teachers. In English, "are" is used with plural subjects and the pronouns you, we, and they. It helps to express existence, identity, or a state of being. For instance, "The flowers are beautiful" indicates the state of the flowers in relation to their beauty.