verbal

¹ver·bal

adjective \ˈvər-bəl\

Definition of VERBAL

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>

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>

— ver·bal·ly \-bə-lē\ adverb

Examples of VERBAL

1. He scored well on the verbal section of the test.
2. They had a verbal exchange.
3. a verbal agreement to finish the work
4. We gave only verbal instructions.

Origin of VERBAL

Middle English verbale, from Late Latin verbalis, from Latin verbum word

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to VERBAL

Synonyms

lexical, linguistic (also linguistical), rhetorical (also rhetoric), vocabular, wordy

Antonyms

nonlexical, nonlinguistic, nonverbal

Related Words

communicative, conversational

Near Antonyms

explicit, formal

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with VERBAL

burble, gerbil, herbal

²verbal

noun

Definition of VERBAL

: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective — compare gerund, infinitive, participle

First Known Use of VERBAL

1530

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile