verbally
Americanadverb
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using spoken words rather than written words; orally.
The committee verbally OK’d the park renewal plan.
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by the use of words, rather than by physical means.
Pain inflicted verbally can leave deep, invisible scars.
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Grammar. with the function of a verb.
When used verbally, the term ‘bird-dog’ is hyphenated.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of verbally
First recorded in 1570–70; verbal ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Verbally sparring with the opposition is part of the game, Bosa said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2022
Verbally acknowledging this is an important way of steering someone’s good emotional values into a logical rejection of the cult.
From The Guardian • Sep. 27, 2020
Verbally brusque, physically underweight and weak, hardly able to walk because of her stitches, Burke has come to this Foundation to study the bonobos.
From Washington Post • May 8, 2018
Verbally, we questioned guys and made sure everybody was in this for the right reasons.
From Chicago Tribune • Nov. 23, 2014
“So, Mila? Is this obnoxious kid complimenting you? Verbally attacking? What do you think?”
From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
