nonverbal

adjective

non·​ver·​bal ˌnän-ˈvər-bəl 

: not verbal: such as

a

: not involving or using words

Still, this pope projects eloquence in his off-the-cuff remarks or even during the long interludes between speeches when he is engaged in nonverbal communication with individuals and crowds.

—John S. Driscoll

… psychological aggression refers to both coercive verbal behaviors (e.g., insulting or swearing at partner) and coercive nonverbal behaviors that are not directed at the partner's body (e.g., slamming doors or smashing objects).

—Alan E. Kazdin et al.

b

: being other than verbal

… some hidden, nonverbal quality of her life that could only be alluded to in the act of painting.

—Diane Armitage

c

: lacking or appearing to lack the ability to engage in speech

She finds she can communicate with nonverbal children using drum beats, for example.

—Robert S. Greenberger

nonverbally

ˌnän-ˈvər-bə-lē 

adverb

Examples of nonverbal in a Sentence

Facial expressions are very important for nonverbal communication.

Recent Examples on the Web

Each patient room now has signage iterating a zero-tolerance policy for both verbal and nonverbal aggression toward employees. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Guthrie, left nonverbal by Huntington’s disease, and Seeger feel indulgent enough to ask him to play a tune. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024

During the delivery of your presentation, track how your audience is responding in real time, with special emphasis on their nonverbal reactions: facial expressions and body language. —Jerry Weissman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Adams’ nonverbal reaction to this line, delivered by Scoot McNairy as the husband with just enough cluelessness and self-deception, will strike a horribly familiar chord for anyone who’s been there, or done that. —Michael Phillips, Twin Cities, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nonverbal

adjective

non·​ver·​bal (ˈ)nän-ˈvər-bəl 

1

: being other than verbal

nonverbal symbols

2

: involving little use of language

nonverbal tests

nonverbally

-bə-lē 

adverb