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.
Djokovic’s shots were not quite on-target early and, but for a brief interlude in the second set, his usual verve was not present. Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025 And yet there’s an unquestionable high-tech Zen verve to the space. Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2025 The defensive line is far too often out of alignment, the midfield is still searching for balance between security and verve, while the front three are lucky to combine more than a handful of times per game. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025 For one reason or another, the verve had disappeared from his play. Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

verve

noun
: lively enthusiasm

More from Merriam-Webster on verve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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