verve

noun

1
a
: the spirit and enthusiasm animating artistic composition or performance : vivacity
2
archaic : special ability or talent

Examples of verve in a Sentence

She played with skill and verve.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This year, artists booked coveted space with self-promotional ads that showed remarkable creativity and verve. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025 And this was critical: Pelle Larsson aced this third start, providing the type of rugged effort, across-the-board contributions and defensive verve that have earned him admiration from the coaching staff and teammates. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025 Kevin Winter—Getty Images The effect felt like a death knell for the franchise which many in Hollywood fear will lose its verve now that a tech conglomerate has gotten its hands on it. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025 While Matthew McConaughey plays the real figure of Ron Woodroof, Leto turns in a touching portrayal of a trans woman faced with AIDs yet never losing her verve as the fictional Rayon. 10. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for verve

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of verve was in 1697

Cite this Entry

“Verve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verve. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

verve

noun
: lively enthusiasm

More from Merriam-Webster on verve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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