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
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
Murat Ates, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Nickens, a four-star football recruit and three-star recruit in hoops by 247sports.com, chose KU over Georgia, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and California, after initially giving a verbal commitment to in-state school Oklahoma.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2025
Prices of stocks and bonds, along with long-term interest rates, have oscillated up and down in response to the daily verbal sallies from the White House.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2025
This early April debacle stemmed from a verbal argument between Tyreek and Lakeeta about the All-Pro wide receiver not being involved enough with their daughter, an incident report shows.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
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Adjective
There is also truth behind Blues coach Jim Montgomery’s series of verbal daggers after Game 4.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Nickens, a four-star football recruit and three-star recruit in hoops by 247sports.com, chose KU over Georgia, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and California, after initially giving a verbal commitment to in-state school Oklahoma.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2025
Prices of stocks and bonds, along with long-term interest rates, have oscillated up and down in response to the daily verbal sallies from the White House.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2025
This early April debacle stemmed from a verbal argument between Tyreek and Lakeeta about the All-Pro wide receiver not being involved enough with their daughter, an incident report shows.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
Cite this Entry
“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verbal. Accessed 7 May. 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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