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
ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
Instead of seeking constant verbal reassurance, focus on how your partner consistently shows up.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The Context The Trump administration carried out the deportations despite the fact that United States District Judge James Boasberg had issued a verbal order telling the government to hold off on deporting the Venezuelan nationals pending further proceedings.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Police said the man was involved in a verbal altercation with a suspect just before he was shot.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
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Adjective
In the hearing, Judge Boasberg grilled the Justice Department lawyer on what happened last weekend when those planes took off and landed in El Salvador despite the judge's verbal order in court from the bench that they be turned around immediately.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
Instead of seeking constant verbal reassurance, focus on how your partner consistently shows up.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The Context The Trump administration carried out the deportations despite the fact that United States District Judge James Boasberg had issued a verbal order telling the government to hold off on deporting the Venezuelan nationals pending further proceedings.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Police said the man was involved in a verbal altercation with a suspect just before he was shot.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 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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