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.
His keyboard work was consistently inspired and full of verve. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025 Whoever prevails in the cardinals’ deliberations will inherit a church with plenty of gilding but still in need of some of the verve and passion that Francis brought to the task. Randall Balmer, Time, 8 May 2025 However dated that now sounds, the pair were photographed time and again in all their stylish glory, and more often than not, smiling or laughing — with that indescribable, and sometimes mischievous, verve. Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025 This year, artists booked coveted space with self-promotional ads that showed remarkable creativity and verve. Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 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 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

verve

noun
: lively enthusiasm

More from Merriam-Webster on verve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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