Is the word local a noun?

The word "local" can be both a noun and an adjective, depending on how it's used. Here's a breakdown:

As a noun:

* "The locals were very friendly." Here, "locals" refers to the people who live in a particular place.

* "We visited the local market." In this sentence, "local" refers to a specific market that is situated nearby.

As an adjective:

* "The local bakery makes delicious bread." Here, "local" modifies "bakery," indicating that the bakery is located nearby.

* "He has a local accent." This sentence uses "local" to describe the accent as belonging to a particular region.

So, to answer your question directly: "Local" can be a noun, but it's more commonly used as an adjective.