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

Responsiveness is not solely measured by intention or verbal acknowledgment alone, but by whether emotional disclosures shape future behavior, influence decisions and alter relational patterns. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

The team has reached a verbal agreement to hire Pittsburgh native and former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, the team said via social media on Saturday afternoon. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026

In September 2021, the Spirit fired head coach Richie Burke following allegations of emotional and verbal harassment. —Emily Olsen, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026

Turned out, all Zubac needed was a bit of verbal motivation. —Janis Carr, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 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