Join Us On

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Thesaurus

Medical

Scrabble^®

Spanish Central

Browse Dictionary Browse Thesaurus

Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android

Dictionary

¹verbal

adjective ver·bal \ˈvər-bəl\

: relating to or consisting of words

: spoken rather than written

: relating to or formed from a verb

Full Definition of VERBAL

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 — B. N. Cardozo>

c : consisting of or using words only and not involving action <verbal abuse>

: of, relating to, or formed from a verb <a verbal adjective>

: spoken rather than written <a verbal contract>

: verbatim, word-for-word <a verbal translation>

: of or relating to facility in the use and comprehension of words <verbal aptitude>

— ver·bal·ly \-bə-lē\ adverb

See verbal defined for English-language learners

See verbal defined for kids

Origin of VERBAL

Middle English verbale, from Late Latin verbalis, from Latin verbum word

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to VERBAL

Synonyms: lexical, linguistic (also linguistical), rhetorical (also rhetoric), vocabular, wordy

Antonyms: nonlexical, nonlinguistic, nonverbal

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with VERBAL

burble, gerbil, herbal

²verbal

noun

Definition of VERBAL

: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective — compare gerund, infinitive, participle

First Known Use of VERBAL

1530

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

VERBALLY Defined for Kids

verbal

adjective ver·bal \ˈvər-bəl\

Definition of VERBAL for Kids

: of, relating to, or consisting of words <verbal communication>

: spoken rather than written <verbal testimony>

: of, relating to, or formed from a verb <a verbal adjective>

— ver·bal·ly adverb

Word Root of VERBAL

The Latin word verbum, meaning “word,” gives us the root verb. Words from the Latin verbum have something to do with words. A verb is a word that shows action. An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb. A proverb, or short saying containing a wise thought, is made up of a few well-chosen words. Anything verbal is made up of spoken words.