non-verbal

American  

[nahn-vur-buhl] / ˌnɑnˈvɜr bəl /

adjective

1. (of communication) not spoken.

2. (of a person, especially someone with an intellectual or developmental disability) unable to speak or unable to use language.

---

noun

• non-verbals
  plural

1. a physical act that communicates something without speech, especially a conventional one such as a gasp of surprise or a nod of agreement.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• non-verbally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• non-verbals
  plural

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

non-verbal non-verbals

Police said at least 1,300 members of the public had helped in the search for the missing boy, who was non-verbal and partially deaf.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

Zac is non-verbal and his mum said his behaviour can be extremely challenging, including stripping off his clothes and running away when they are out.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

Diagnosed with autism, Arday had said he was non-verbal until age 11 and only learnt to read and write at 18, before becoming Cambridge's professor of sociology of education at 37.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

Diagnosed with autism, Arday says he was non-verbal until age 11 and only learnt to read and write at 18, before becoming Cambridge's professor of sociology of education at 37.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

Examiner manual for the SRA verbal and non-verbal forms; preliminary industrial edition. © 4Mar47; AA48058.

From U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1975 January - June by Library of Congress. Copyright Office

It is notable that Davis' analysis came not just from non-verbals, but non-verbals that she understood within a specific context.

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2021

Mind the non-verbals, and always use positive, proactive gestures to reinforce a point.

From Inc ● Oct. 2, 2012

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---