verbal

[ vur-buhl ]

/ ˈvɜr bəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR verbal ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of or relating to words: verbal ability.

consisting of or in the form of words: verbal imagery.

expressed in spoken words; oral rather than written: verbal communication; verbal agreement.

consisting of or expressed in words (as opposed to actions): a verbal protest.

pertaining to or concerned with words only (as opposed to ideas, facts, or realities): a purely verbal distinction between two concepts.

corresponding word for word; verbatim: a verbal translation.

using words: verbal facility.

based on the use of words (as opposed to other activity): a verbal score in a test; verbal IQ.

Grammar.

of, relating to, or derived from a verb.
used in a sentence as or like a verb, as participles and infinitives.

noun

Grammar. a word, particularly a noun or adjective, derived from a verb.

Nearby words

veratridine, veratrine, verb, verb phrase, verb. sap., verbal, verbal adjective, verbal auxiliary, verbal irony, verbal noun, verbalism

Origin of verbal

1485–95; < Latin verbālis, equivalent to verb(um) word (see verb) + -ālis -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR verbal

3 spoken.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR verbal ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

ver·bal·ly, adverbin·ter·ver·bal, adjectivenon·ver·bal, adjectivenon·ver·bal·ly, adverb

pre·ver·bal, adjectivesub·ver·bal, adjectiveun·ver·bal, adjectiveun·ver·bal·ly, adverb

Can be confused

oral verbal (see usage note at the current entry)verbal verbose

Usage note

3, 4. Verbal has had the meaning “spoken” since the late 16th century and is thus synonymous with oral: He wrote a memorandum to confirm the verbal agreement. Slightly earlier, verbal had developed the meaning “expressed in words, whether spoken or written (as opposed to actions)”: Verbal support is no help without money and supplies. Although some say that the use of verbal to mean “spoken” produces ambiguity, it rarely does so. Verbal is used in this sense in all varieties of speech and writing and is fully standard. The context usually makes the meaning clear: No documents are necessary; a verbal agreement (or contract or order ) will suffice. Oral can be used instead of verbal if the context demands: My lawyer insists on a written contract because oral agreements are too difficult to enforce.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for verbal

In movies, that language, visual and verbal, has yet to be mastered.
Why Can’t Movies Capture Genius?|Clive Irving|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He reiterated the statements “I am not a politician” and “I am not a political advisor” so often that it seemed like a verbal tic.
Obamacare Architect: I Wanted to Sound Smart|Ben Jacobs|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Because of the verbal abuse and death threats coming my way, these women seemed to identify with me.
During Advent, Lots of Waiting, But Not Enough Hope|Gene Robinson|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The verbal irony in the story would have played well in the first century.
The Barabbas Theory of Voting: Bible Story Shows Tough Choices for Midterms|Jay Parini|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST

There are no verbal crescendos; there is very little emotion and no drama at all.
Martin Luther King’s Nobel Speech Is an Often Ignored Masterpiece|Malcolm Jones|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Monny (after a sandy introduction) listened to these verbal vandalisms in horrified silence.
It Happened in Egypt|C. N. Williamson
"I shall have to check the verbal information after all," said Nigel as he put back his hat and papers on the table.
The Sixth Sense|Stephen McKenna
And this very age, which claims to admit only the force that is mathematically proved, will be extinguished by verbal idealism.
Very Woman|Remy de Gourmont
In this form the melody prevails over the matter; the style inclines to become precious and garnished with verbal artifice.
Studies in Literature and History|Sir Alfred Comyn Lyall
And Jefferson wielded his verbal cat-o'-nine-tails on Washington's order to put the rebellion down by armed forces.
The Life of John Marshall (Volume 2 of 4)|Albert J. Beveridge

British Dictionary definitions for verbal

verbal

/ (ˈvɜːbəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, or using words, esp as opposed to ideas, etcmerely verbal concessions

oral rather than writtena verbal agreement

verbatim; literalan almost verbal copy

grammar of or relating to verbs or a verb

noun

grammar another word for verbid

(plural) slang abuse or invectivenew forms of on-field verbals

(plural) slang a criminal's admission of guilt on arrest

verb -bals, -balling or -balled (tr)

slang (of the police) to implicate (someone) in a crime by quoting alleged admission of guilt in court

Derived Forms

verbally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012