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

Darah Wood is the mother of the attack victim, Kevin Velasco-Wood, who is non-verbal. —Julie Sharp, CBS News, 18 June 2026

Adam Reynolds, PhD, LCSW, RDT/BCT, a drama therapist, social worker, and educator working in New York, says creative therapies offer children a wider range of expression and engagement than verbal therapy alone. —Hannah Silverman, Parents, 17 June 2026

Along with claims of attacks on him personally while working at Matlock, Lowe says EP Renna took verbal swings at other staffers on the show, including cast members. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 June 2026

The police and security presence was far more visible, too, though there didn’t appear to be many problems that escalated beyond verbal sparring. —Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 16 June 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