1
a
: of, relating to, or consisting of words
verbal instructions
b
: of, relating to, or involving words rather than meaning or substance
a consistency that is merely verbal and scholastic—
B. N. Cardozo
B. N. Cardozo
c
: consisting of or using words only and not involving action
verbal abuse
2
: of, relating to, or formed from a verb
a verbal adjective
3
: spoken rather than written
a verbal contract
4
: verbatim, word-for-word
a verbal translation
5
: of or relating to facility in the use and comprehension of words
verbal aptitude
: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective compare gerund, infinitive, participle
Synonyms
Examples of verbal in a Sentence
Adjective
He scored well on the verbal section of the test.
They had a verbal exchange.
a verbal agreement to finish the work
We gave only verbal instructions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The verbal notice came from HHS officials in a meeting with CDC leaders, according to a federal official who was at the meeting.
—Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
That includes a pair of surprisingly cathartic conversations between him and John Kreese (Martin Kove), the sensei whose verbal and even physical abuse kicked off his slide into self-loathing and eventually alcoholism after that loss in 1984.
—Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
Initial reports were that some men who had no connection to the school got into a verbal dispute that ended in shots being fired, police said.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for verbal 
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Adjective
Keith allegedly initially ignored verbal commands to exit the vehicle and police used bean bag rounds to subdue him, court records said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The verbal notice came from HHS officials in a meeting with CDC leaders, according to a federal official who was at the meeting.
—Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
That includes a pair of surprisingly cathartic conversations between him and John Kreese (Martin Kove), the sensei whose verbal and even physical abuse kicked off his slide into self-loathing and eventually alcoholism after that loss in 1984.
—Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
Initial reports were that some men who had no connection to the school got into a verbal dispute that ended in shots being fired, police said.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for verbal
Dictionary Entries Near verbal
Cite this Entry
“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verbal. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
verbal
2 of 2 noun
: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective
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