verve

noun

ˈvərv 

1

a

: the spirit and enthusiasm animating artistic composition or performance : vivacity

b

: energy, vitality

2

archaic : special ability or talent

Synonyms of verve

• vigor
• energy

Examples of verve in a Sentence

She played with skill and verve.

Recent Examples on the Web

All played with the kinds of intensity and verve that have become trademarks of young players associated with United. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 25 July 2026

That bite and raw intensity produce some of the album’s standout moments, transmuting jungle’s physicality across a wide emotional range with poetic verve and Nia’s woody, vulnerable, yet strident timbre. — Will Pritchard, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026

For whatever reason, America celebrated its 250th birthday with far less sustained verve than its 200th. — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 18 July 2026

After seeing a few buckets go in, Jones appeared to have even more verve as a defender. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, caprice, from Old French, word, gossip, from Vulgar Latin *verva, from Latin verba, plural of verbum word — more at word

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for verve

• curve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve
• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve

Kids Definition

verve

noun

ˈvərv 

: lively enthusiasm