verve

noun

1
a
: the spirit and enthusiasm animating artistic composition or performance : vivacity
2
archaic : special ability or talent

Examples of verve in a Sentence

She played with skill and verve.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Giorgetto Giugiaro, Bertone’s prolific designer, poured some of his best styling cues into the tidy GT, which expresses the verve of his earlier Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint and Iso Rivolta models, but in a smaller car for the sporting masses. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2024 Farrell’s Oz, by contrast, is a cartoon — albeit a loveable one, infused with pathos and verve by the actor and painted with truly impressive makeup by Michael Marino. Christian Holub, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2024 That’s also the name of the real-life West Belfast outfit whose origin story — juiced for maximum political energy and comedic verve by writer-director Rich Peppiatt — makes for a tub-thumping, fist-pumping good time. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2024 And yet even this problem should have been surmountable, especially with Gaga's titanic talent — a song delivered and staged with verve, panache and wit can bloom in the nastiest of scenarios. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for verve 

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, caprice, from Old French, word, gossip, from Vulgar Latin *verva, from Latin verba, plural of verbum word — more at word

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of verve was in 1697

Dictionary Entries Near verve

Cite this Entry

“Verve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verve. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

verve

noun
: lively enthusiasm

More from Merriam-Webster on verve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!