nonverbal

adjective

non·​ver·​bal ˌnän-ˈvər-bəl 

: not verbal: such as

a

: not involving or using words

Still, this pope projects eloquence in his off-the-cuff remarks or even during the long interludes between speeches when he is engaged in nonverbal communication with individuals and crowds.

—John S. Driscoll

… psychological aggression refers to both coercive verbal behaviors (e.g., insulting or swearing at partner) and coercive nonverbal behaviors that are not directed at the partner's body (e.g., slamming doors or smashing objects).

—Alan E. Kazdin et al.

b

: being other than verbal

… some hidden, nonverbal quality of her life that could only be alluded to in the act of painting.

—Diane Armitage

c

: lacking or appearing to lack the ability to engage in speech

She finds she can communicate with nonverbal children using drum beats, for example.

—Robert S. Greenberger

nonverbally

ˌnän-ˈvər-bə-lē 

adverb

Examples of nonverbal in a Sentence

Facial expressions are very important for nonverbal communication.

Recent Examples on the Web

Detroit police are asking for the public’s help identifying a nonverbal older man whose identity has remained unknown for about seven months. —Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025

As part of the information-gathering process, coaches are also searching for verbal and nonverbal communication before the snap. —Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Some researchers even suggest that the percentage of our communication that is nonverbal may be up to 90 percent — including tone, body language, facial expressions and more. —Bill Connolly, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2025

Jacob, who is reportedly nonverbal, was not found. —Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nonverbal

• preverbal
• gerbil
• herbal
• verbal

Kids Definition

nonverbal

adjective

non·​ver·​bal (ˈ)nän-ˈvər-bəl 

1

: being other than verbal

nonverbal symbols

2

: involving little use of language

nonverbal tests

nonverbally

-bə-lē 

adverb