verbal

1 of 2

adjective

ver·​bal ˈvər-bəl 

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.

—Benjamin 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

Synonyms of verbal

Adjective

• linguistic
• communicative
• rhetorical

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

Adjective

Rick is tightly scheduled, punctilious to a fault, endowed with verbal wit that gently but firmly shapes and smooths social interactions. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2026

Refusing to follow verbal or printed instructions or cooperate with park personnel or security. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 29 May 2026

These solid verbal commits will be vital peer-to-peer recruiters for the Bulldogs this weekend. —Jeff Sentell, AJC.com, 29 May 2026

The weather reports keep changing, leading to constant verbal sparring among Eisenhower, Stagg, American meteorologist Irving Crick (Chris Messina), and other leaders in the Allied Forces. —Barry Levitt, Time, 29 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing verbal

• procès-verbal
• verbal abuse
• verbal auxiliary
• verbal noun

Rhymes for verbal

• gerbil
• herbal
• nonverbal
• preverbal

Kids Definition

verbal

1 of 2 adjective

ver·​bal ˈvər-bəl 

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

-bə-lē 

adverb

verbal

2 of 2 noun

: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective