verbally

American  

[vur-buh-lee] / ˈvɜr bə li /

adverb

1. using spoken words rather than written words; orally.

   The committee verbally OK’d the park renewal plan.

2. by the use of words, rather than by physical means.

   Pain inflicted verbally can leave deep, invisible scars.

3. Grammar. with the function of a verb.

   When used verbally, the term ‘bird-dog’ is hyphenated.

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Other Word Forms

• nonverbally adverb

Etymology

Origin of verbally

First recorded in 1570–70; verbal ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

In 2025, the US president went as far as visiting the Fed's under-renovation headquarters, where he verbally tussled with Powell as the two toured the site.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The SEC does not necessarily require disclosures to be made in person or delivered verbally.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

The RSF has verbally accepted a Quad roadmap for peace beginning with a humanitarian truce, but neither side has formally responded and fighting has accelerated rather than abated.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

I want to know because, honestly, that tells me so much more about you than you verbally talking about you.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

The idea is the same: to get the children watching to verbally participate, to become actively involved.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell