verbalize

[vur-buh-lahyz]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR verbalize ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ver·bal·ized, ver·bal·iz·ing.

to express in words: He couldn't verbalize his feelings.

Grammar. to convert into a verb: to verbalize “butter” into “to butter.”

verb (used without object), ver·bal·ized, ver·bal·iz·ing.

to use many words; be verbose.

to express something verbally.

Also especially British, ver·bal·ise.

Origin of verbalize

1600–10; verbal + -ize; compare French verbaliser

Related formsver·bal·i·za·tion, nounver·bal·iz·er, nounnon·ver·bal·ized, adjectiveun·ver·bal·ized, adjective

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

Related Words for verbalize

chat, whisper, pronounce, articulate, say, rap, utter, blab, mumble, vocalize, shout, state, yak, tell, express, converse, communicate, enunciate, mouth, gab

Examples from the Web for verbalize

Contemporary Examples of verbalize

Whether she can verbalize it or not, family does seemingly come first.
15 Hilarious Pageant Moments
June 18, 2013
In trying to explain and verbalize their shock, many British Jews made reference, in some way or another, to the Blood Libel.
A 10-Point Guide To Anti-Semitism And Its Perception
Mark Gardner
February 14, 2013

Historical Examples of verbalize

They wont have to wait for the Council to verbalize a measure.
The Variable Man
Philip K. Dick
It was getting tiresome to try to verbalize something she only felt.
Omnilingual
H. Beam Piper
It is induced in his hearers, and they verbalize it, re-enforcing it in themselves and in him.
Naudsonce
H. Beam Piper

British Dictionary definitions for verbalize

verbalize

verbalise

verb

to express (an idea, feeling, etc) in words

to change (any word that is not a verb) into a verb or derive a verb from (any word that is not a verb)

(intr) to be verbose

Derived Formsverbalization or verbalisation, nounverbalizer or verbaliser, noun

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

Word Origin and History for verbalize

c.1600, "use too many words," from French verbaliser (16c.); see verbal. Meaning "express in words" is attested from 1875. Related: Verbalized; verbalizing.