verve

[vurv]

noun

1. enthusiasm or vigor, as in literary or artistic work; spirit.

   Her latest novel lacks verve.

2. vivaciousness; liveliness; animation.

   I like a teacher with plenty of verve.

3. Archaic.,  talent.

verve

/ vɜːv /

noun

1. great vitality, enthusiasm, and liveliness; sparkle

2. a rare word for talent

Word History and Origins

Origin of verve¹

1690–1700; < French: enthusiasm, whim, chatter, apparently < Latin verba words, talk, plural (taken in VL as feminine singular) of verbum word; verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of verve¹

C17: from Old French: garrulity, from Latin verba words, chatter

Example Sentences

The book’s plot mechanics hum along with great pace and verve, even if a few of its particulars are too far-fetched to swallow.

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A local producer recorded “Land of 1,000 Dances” with members of car clubs singing along and clapping in the studio to re-create the verve of an Eastside party.

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With comic verve, Morrow’s novel dances on the page as she explores the dilemma of being a Black artist who is expected by traditionally white arts organizations to represent their notions of Blackness.

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Audiences respond to her verve and so do the players.

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Olsen: You have this one line, the word “Mister,” that you say throughout your screen time, and you just deliver it with such like verve and gusto.

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Related Words

• gumption 
• gusto 
• intensity 
• liveliness www.thesaurus.com
• moxie 
• passion 
• pep 
• sparkle 
• spunk 
• stamina 
• toughness 
• vigor 
• vitality 
• zeal 
• zest