verbal

[vur-buhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to words.

   verbal ability.

2. consisting of or in the form of words.

   verbal imagery.

3. expressed in spoken words; oral rather than written.

   verbal communication; verbal agreement.

   Synonyms: spoken

4. consisting of or expressed in words (as opposed to actions).

   a verbal protest.

5. pertaining to or concerned with words only (as opposed to ideas, facts, or realities).

   a purely verbal distinction between two concepts.

6. corresponding word for word; verbatim.

   a verbal translation.

7. using words.

   verbal facility.

8. based on the use of words (as opposed to other activity).

   a verbal score in a test; verbal IQ.

9. Grammar.

   1. of, relating to, or derived from a verb.

      verbal nouns and adjectives.

   2. used in a sentence as or like a verb.

   3. used to form verbs.

      the verbal ending “-ed.”

noun

1. Grammar.

   1. a word derived from a verb, especially one used as a noun or an adjective, as, in English, a gerund, participle, or infinitive.

   2. a word or words used in a sentence as or like a verb.

verbal

/ ˈvɜːbəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or using words, esp as opposed to ideas, etc

   merely verbal concessions

2. oral rather than written

   a verbal agreement

3. verbatim; literal

   an almost verbal copy

4. grammar of or relating to verbs or a verb

noun

1. grammar another word for verbid

2. slang,  (plural) abuse or invective

   new forms of on-field verbals

3. slang,  (plural) a criminal's admission of guilt on arrest

verb

1. slang,  (of the police) to implicate (someone) in a crime by quoting alleged admission of guilt in court

Usage

Verbal has had the meaning “spoken” since the late 16th century and is thus synonymous with oral: He wrote a memorandum to confirm the verbal agreement. Slightly earlier, verbal had developed the meaning “expressed in words, whether spoken or written (as opposed to actions)”: Verbal support is no help without money and supplies. Although some say that the use of verbal to mean “spoken” produces ambiguity, it rarely does so. Verbal is used in this sense in all varieties of speech and writing and is fully standard. The context usually makes the meaning clear: No documents are necessary; a verbal agreement (or contract or order ) will suffice. Oral can be used instead of verbal if the context demands: My lawyer insists on a written contract because oral agreements are too difficult to enforce.

Other Word Forms

• verbally adverb
• nonverbal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of verbal¹

First recorded in 1485–95; from Middle French, from Latin verbālis, equivalent to verb(um) “word, speech” + -ālis adjective sufix; word, -al ¹

Example Sentences

At her best, Norton possessed the verbal firepower — and, most importantly, the stomach — for a fight with the president, despite the fact that she has no final vote on legislation.

From Salon

He said he had seen reports of residents being subjected to verbal and physical abuse and traffic congestion.

From BBC

Before, when I had written something like that, I assumed that people are going to understand how those kinds of verbal challenges are fueled by the racism of the time.

From Los Angeles Times

‘It was a verbal incident,’ Cardi B testified in the civil trial.

From Los Angeles Times

There was a "verbal fight", the star said - but she insisted it "didn't get physical".

From BBC

Related Words

• rhetorical 
• unwritten