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
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.
Adjective
Its value depends on the amount of logos, verbal mentions or usages in those seconds, and can cost a brand anywhere from $250,000 to $1 million. Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Goalkeeper Joan Garcia has joined from city rivals Espanyol for his €25million ($28.6m; £21.1m) release clause, while Athletic Club’s Nico Williams has agreed verbal terms with Barca, who do not view his €60m clause as an obstacle. Pol Ballús, New York Times, 27 June 2025 Officials said the woman intentionally collided with a semi-truck and tractor and then refused officers’ verbal commands when she was pulled over. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025 The San Diego State football program already received 22 verbal commitments by the last week of June. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verbal. Accessed 1 Jul. 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

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!