verbal

1 of 2

adjective

ver·​bal ˈvər-bəl 

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

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

verbal

2 of 2

noun

: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective compare gerund, infinitive, participle

Synonyms

Adjective

• lexical
• linguistic
• linguistical
• rhetorical
• rhetoric
• vocabular
• wordy

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

Adjective

But despite months of verbal support from state leaders, no new funding has materialized. —Leslie S. Richards, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025

And also, similar to the suggestion for No. 1, consider creating safe words or a verbal challenge/response procedure. —Perry Carpenter, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

But the only thing standard about the play that involves Hurts getting shoved by a teammate or two in the physical region that defies verbal grace is the consistency with which the Philadelphia Eagles pick up first downs, score touchdowns and confound those who haven’t yet found a way to stop it. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 21 May 2025

Ventura, 38, described her relationship with Combs as abusive and inconsistent, spanning years of brutal physical assaults and verbal tirades. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English verbale, borrowed from Late Latin verbālis, from Latin verbum "word, verb entry 1" + -ālis -al entry 1

Noun

borrowed from New Latin verbālis, noun derivative of Late Latin verbālis verbal entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing verbal

• procès-verbal
• verbal abuse
• verbal auxiliary
• verbal noun

Rhymes for verbal

• gerbil
• herbal
• nonverbal
• preverbal

Kids Definition

verbal

1 of 2 adjective

ver·​bal ˈvər-bəl 

1

: of, relating to, or consisting of words

verbal instructions

2

: of, relating to, or formed from a verb

a verbal adjective

3

: spoken rather than written

a verbal agreement

verbally

-bə-lē 

adverb

verbal

2 of 2 noun

: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective