verve
enthusiasm or vigor, as in literary or artistic work; spirit: Her latest novel lacks verve.
vivaciousness; liveliness; animation: I like a teacher with plenty of verve.
Archaic. talent.
Origin of verve
1Words Nearby verve
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use verve in a sentence
Read more reviews by Stephanie ZacharekThe first third of Malcolm & Marie has some wit and verve, and style to spare.
Zendaya Dazzles in the Otherwise Dull Malcolm & Marie | Stephanie Zacharek | February 5, 2021 | TimeIf you can ignore the author’s motive for creating such a sensitive and endearing cad, you’ll find here a novel that explores the demands of acting and the delusions of manhood with tremendous verve and insight.
Ethan Hawke turns his acting experience — and past infidelities — into brilliant fiction | Ron Charles | February 2, 2021 | Washington PostCertainly Stevenson’s novels and stories exhibit extraordinary verve, whether depicting many-sided characters, richly atmospheric settings or political history.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Kidnapped’ is not just an adventure tale, it’s a timely novel about politics and dissent | Michael Dirda | January 20, 2021 | Washington PostIt’s another example of Franciacorta that packs verve and excitement near champagne levels at a more affordable price.
This $11 Bordeaux begs for pizza or burgers and will put a smile on your face | Dave McIntyre | December 18, 2020 | Washington PostHe is a turnaround artist with astonishing verve and little apparent fear.
But Byrne himself is the parodist, and he commands the stage by his hollow-eyed, frosty verve.
The Stacks: Pauline Kael's Talking Heads Obsession | Pauline Kael | November 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA new history tells their remarkable story with sensitivity and verve writes Wendy Smith.
Students, meanwhile, approached the book with greater verve than ever.
And so the question now is not only whether Ryan can reenergize the Romney campaign with his vision and verve.
Will Paul Ryan Help Romney With Blue-Collar Whites? | Andrew Romano | August 27, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST“He should just write a check and shut up,” Christie responded, with his typical verve.
The pieces themselves were almost worthless; Byron would seem to have lost his verve during the removal.
The English Stage | Augustin FilonShe played Cupid here with so much verve, point, impudence and sprightliness, that other Cupids were created for her.
The English Stage | Augustin FilonA sparkling society tale, full of verve and pathos, would have been another thing, and the editor might have been convinced by it.
The Longest Journey | E. M. ForsterA long drink of red wine seemed to put him in the best of trim, and he began to fiddle with a verve that was irresistible.
Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land, Complete | Charles M. SkinnerShe has all the dreamy, languid grace of the South combined with the verve and force of the North.
Lippincott's Magazine, August, 1885 | Various
British Dictionary definitions for verve
/ (vɜːv) /
great vitality, enthusiasm, and liveliness; sparkle
a rare word for talent
Origin of verve
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse