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
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2025
McGregor has engaged in verbal sparring with countless fighters like Ilia Topuria, Poirier, Belal Muhammad, Sean O’Malley, and others.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Green implied that the two have unfinished business after some prior verbal exchanges.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Fortunately for Carney and the Liberals, Trump’s economic and verbal attacks on our neighbor to the North has served for the most part to unite patriotic Canadians of all leanings.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
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Adjective
The remark, laced with Palmer’s infectious humor, made both Shields and Destiny laugh it off with no verbal response.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2025
McGregor has engaged in verbal sparring with countless fighters like Ilia Topuria, Poirier, Belal Muhammad, Sean O’Malley, and others.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Green implied that the two have unfinished business after some prior verbal exchanges.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Fortunately for Carney and the Liberals, Trump’s economic and verbal attacks on our neighbor to the North has served for the most part to unite patriotic Canadians of all leanings.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 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 15 Mar. 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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