You use verbal to indicate that something is expressed in speech rather than in writing or action.
They were jostled and subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse.
We have a verbal agreement with her.
The West must back up its verbal support with substantial economic aid.
Synonyms: verbatim, literal More Synonyms of verbal
verballyadverb
Teachers were threatened with kitchen knives, physically assaulted and verbally abused.
Twins often have difficulty expressing themselves verbally.
Synonyms: orally, vocally, in words, in speech More Synonyms of verbal
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use verbal to indicate that something is connected with words and the use of words.
The test has scores for verbal skills, mathematical skills, and abstract reasoningskills.
Wayne has great verbal dexterity.
3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
In grammar, verbal means relating to a verb.
...a verbal noun.
More Synonyms of verbal
verbal in British English
(ˈvɜːbəl)
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or using words, esp as opposed to ideas, etc
merely verbal concessions
2.
oral rather than written
a verbal agreement
3.
verbatim; literal
an almost verbal copy
4. grammar
of or relating to verbs or a verb
noun
5. grammar another word for verbid
6. (plural) slang
abuse or invective
new forms of on-field verbals
7. (plural) slang
a criminal's admission of guilt on arrest
verbWord forms: -bals, -balling or -balled(transitive)
8. slang
(of the police) to implicate (someone) in a crime by quoting alleged admission of guilt in court
Derived forms
verbally (ˈverbally)
adverb
verbal in American English
(ˈvɜrbəl)
adjective
1.
of, in, or by means of words
a verbal image
2.
concerned merely with words, as distinguished from facts, ideas, or actions
3.
in speech; oral rather than written
usage objected to by some
a verbal contract
4. Rare
word for word; verbatim
a verbal translation
5. Grammar
a.
of, or made up of, verbs
a verbal auxiliary
b.
of, having the nature of, or derived from a verb
a verbal noun
c.
used to form verbs
-ate is a verbal suffix
noun
6. Grammar
a verbal noun or some other word, as an adjective, derived from a verb: in English, gerunds, infinitives, and participles are verbals
7. Linguistics
a word or word group that occurs in grammatical functions typical of verbs
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈoral
Derived forms
verbally (ˈverbally)
adverb
Word origin
LME < MFr < LL verbalis, of a word < verbum: see verb
Examples of 'verbal' in a sentence
verbal
People who told them to pipe down got verbal abuse.
The Sun (2016)
The verbal abuse which has been hurled about in public and on social media is quite appalling and totally unacceptable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She lost two lawsuits last winter filed by former employees at the residence who accused her of verbal and emotional abuse.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The model has accused the boxer's parents of verbal and physical abuse.
The Sun (2016)
Unique mix of electronic textures and rock guitars held together by verbal dexterity.
The Sun (2008)
The incidents refer to alleged verbal abuse.
The Sun (2012)
The company refused to honour the verbal agreement and put him on a more expensive tariff.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The physical attacks have stopped but the verbal abuse continues.
The Sun (2016)
We found that she had organizational and verbal skills.
Christianity Today (2000)
He has a verbal agreement to take charge of the club in the summer.
The Sun (2016)
Police said a man had been arrested for verbal abuse and damaging a car.
The Sun (2009)
In this situation you will have to use verbal skills as well.
Harris, Jean Everything You Need to Know for Success in Business (1990)
Instead, officers often merely give verbal warnings.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We expect verbal attack, and it helps to keep us honest.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The first tested numerical and verbal reasoning, the second spatial manipulation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Her verbal dexterity when delivering a stream of brilliant put-downs is extremely impressive.
The Sun (2008)
Because of his appearance, he has become the victim of verbal and physical attacks.
The Sun (2015)
Next are online tests, such as numeracy and verbal reasoning.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They said it was to settle a verbal agreement made 13 years before.
The Sun (2016)
Taking strength from that she was able to become angry with her husband, who also survived her verbal attack.
Knowles, Jane Know Your Own Mind (1991)
Riches's blend of verbal dexterity, physical comedy and genuinely unpleasant liquids makes for a truly immersive experience.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
verbal
British English: verbal ADJECTIVE
You use verbal to indicate that something is expressed in speech rather than in writing or action.
They were subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse.
American English: verbal
Brazilian Portuguese: verbal
Chinese: 口头的
European Spanish: verbal
French: verbal
German: verbal
Italian: verbale
Japanese: 口頭の
Korean: 말의
European Portuguese: verbal
Latin American Spanish: verbal
All related terms of 'verbal'
non-verbal
Non-verbal communication consists of things such as the expression on your face, your arm movements, or your tone of voice , which show how you feel about something without using words.
verbal noun
a noun derived from a verb , such as smoking in the sentence smoking is bad for you
procès-verbal
a written record of an official proceeding ; minutes
verbal abuse
abuse or insults made using (esp spoken) language, as opposes to physical abuse
verbal attack
If you attack a person, belief , idea, or act, you criticize them strongly.
verbal warning
A warning is something which is said or written to tell people of a possible danger , problem, or other unpleasant thing that might happen .
verbal adjective
an adjective derived from a verb , as, in English, smiling in smiling eyes , or, in Greek, bat ós “ going ,” “moving,” derived from ba ínein “to go ,” “to move”
verbal diarrhoea
a tendency to speak at excessive length
Chinese translation of 'verbal'
verbal
(ˈvəːbl)
adj
[skills, translation etc]语(語)言的 (yǔyán de)
[attack]口头(頭)的 (kǒutóu de)
(Ling) 动(動)词(詞)的 (dòngcí de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
spoken rather than written
Synonyms
spoken
written and spoken communication skills
oral
All students have to take a written and oral examination.
word-of-mouth
unwritten
the unwritten stories of his infancy and childhood
2 (adjective)
We have a verbal agreement with our suppliers.
Synonyms
verbatim
He gave me a verbatim report of the entire conversation.
literal
a literal translation
Additional synonyms
in the sense of literal
Definition
word for word
a literal translation
Synonyms
exact,
close,
strict,
accurate,
faithful,
verbatim,
word for word
in the sense of oral
Definition
spoken or verbal
All students have to take a written and oral examination.
Synonyms
spoken,
vocal,
verbal,
unwritten,
viva voce
in the sense of unwritten
Definition
not printed or in writing
the unwritten stories of his infancy and childhood