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.
Kuroda is tasked with carrying the load on her shoulders and delivers, singing and dancing with exhausting verve while dipping into the emotional demands of a character atoning inside her long life. David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2025 Paleontologist and science writer Riley Black aims to give evolutionary biology the narrative drive and verve of fiction. Richard Horan, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2025 The brand’s verve for sustainability led to a collaboration with 1 Hotel Mayfair. Erin Duxbury, WWD, 22 Feb. 2025 After missing four games in November and December because of a hamstring injury, Geronimo’s verve was a boon for Maryland and Willard. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 20 Jan. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Verve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verve. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

verve

noun
: lively enthusiasm

More from Merriam-Webster on verve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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