verbal

1 of 2

adjective

ver·​bal ˈvər-bəl How to pronounce verbal (audio)
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 scholasticB. 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

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
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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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of verbal was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verbal. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

verbal

1 of 2 adjective
ver·​bal ˈvər-bəl How to pronounce verbal (audio)
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 adverb

verbal

2 of 2 noun
: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on verbal

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