verbal

verbal — adjective

1. communicated by speaking rather than being put into writing; given through speec

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

communicated by speaking rather than being put into writing; given through speech instead of in written form.

Example

Lucas gave a verbal warning before he sent the formal written complaint.

verbal + warning for spoken communication

The two managers reached a verbal agreement during their lunch meeting.

verbal + agreement

Common collocations
  • verbal agreement
  • verbal warning
  • verbal instructions
  • verbal confirmation
  • verbal report
  • verbal contract
Synonyms
  • oral

    more specific to mouth/speech; used in medical or exam settings (oral report, oral surgery)

  • spoken

    everyday equivalent; less formal than verbal

  • vocal

    emphasises the voice; can imply loud or emphatic expression

Antonyms
  • written

    expressed in writing rather than speech

Grammar Patterns

verbal + noun

Usage Note

This sense contrasts with 'written' — a verbal agreement carries legal weight in some contexts but is harder to prove than a written one.

Common Mistakes

She gave an oral warning before the written notice.
She gave a verbal warning before the written notice.
'Verbal' is the standard term for spoken communication contrasted with written; 'oral' is usually reserved for medical or exam contexts.

2. connected with words and how people express ideas through language; using words

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

connected with words and how people express ideas through language; using words instead of pictures, numbers, or actions.

Example

The verbal section of the test measures vocabulary and reading comprehension.

verbal section / verbal reasoning

Children with strong verbal skills often enjoy telling stories and writing.

Common collocations
  • verbal skills
  • verbal reasoning
  • verbal ability
  • verbal memory
  • verbal communication
  • verbal section
Synonyms
  • linguistic

    more formal; relates to language as a system (linguistic analysis)

  • word-based

    descriptive alternative; less technical

  • lexical

    relates specifically to vocabulary; formal and technical

Antonyms
  • non-verbal

    not involving words (body language, facial expressions)

Grammar Patterns

verbal + noun

Usage Note

Common in fixed phrases like 'verbal skills', 'verbal reasoning', and 'verbal ability' — often contrasted with 'numerical', 'visual', or 'non-verbal' rather than 'written'.

Common Mistakes

He has good verbal communication, meaning he writes well.
He has good written communication, meaning he writes well.
'Verbal communication' usually means spoken, not written.

3. having the ability to speak; capable of expressing thoughts through spoken langu

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

having the ability to speak; capable of expressing thoughts through spoken language.

Example

The toddler became fully verbal around the age of two.

After the accident, the patient was conscious and verbal.

be + verbal — capacity for speech

Common collocations
  • be verbal
  • become verbal
  • fully verbal
  • non-verbal child
  • non-verbal student
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • non-verbal

    unable to communicate through speech

  • mute

    stronger term; permanently unable to speak

Grammar Patterns

be + verbal

Usage Note

Frequently used in medical and developmental contexts, often in the negative form 'non-verbal' to describe people who cannot speak. Used predicatively — 'the patient is verbal', not 'a verbal patient' (in this sense).

Common Mistakes

The child has become very verbal about his needs.' (misuse — verbal here describes ability, not talkativeness)
The child has become very good at expressing his needs verbally.
This sense refers to the capacity to speak, not the amount of talking.

4. concerning verbs or coming from a verb; describing grammar forms that are based

4.adjectiveC1
Definition

concerning verbs or coming from a verb; describing grammar forms that are based on a verb but act as another word type.

Example

A gerund is a verbal noun that ends in '-ing'.

verbal noun — noun form of a verb

The class studied how verbal adjectives differ from ordinary adjectives.

Common collocations
  • verbal noun
  • verbal adjective
  • verbal form
  • verbal inflection
Synonyms
  • verb-derived

    descriptive alternative; less technical

  • deverbal

    formal linguistic term for words formed from verbs

Grammar Patterns

verbal + noun

Usage Note

Technical grammar terminology. A 'verbal noun' (also called gerund) ends in '-ing' and functions as a noun. A 'verbal adjective' (also called participial adjective) is a participle used to describe a noun. Only sense that refers to grammar, not general communication.

Common Mistakes

Running is a verb.' (in: 'Running is fun')
Running is a verbal noun (a gerund) in this sentence, not a verb.
A word derived from a verb is not itself a verb in that context.

verbal — noun

Word family

  • verb
    nounA2
  • verbally
    adverbB2
  • non-verbal
    adjectiveB2
  • verbalize
    verbC1
  • verbalization
    nounC1
  • verbatim
    adverbC1
  • verbiage
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These words all describe communication that is not written. Verbal is the broadest term and is the standard way to contrast with written — a verbal agreement is the opposite of a written contract. Oral specifically relates to the mouth: an oral exam tests your speaking ability, while an oral report is given aloud to a class. Spoken is the everyday equivalent of verbal: 'spoken language' is more natural in conversation than 'verbal language'. Word-of-mouth describes information passed informally from person to person, such as 'word-of-mouth advertising' or 'recommendations by word-of-mouth'. Use verbal for formal contrast with written (verbal warning, verbal agreement); use oral for medical, dental, or exam contexts; and use spoken in casual settings.

verbal ↗oral ↗spoken ↗word-of-mouth

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • verbally
  • non-verbally

Phrases

  • verbal and written
  • verbal or non-verbal
  • verbal and numerical

Prepositions

  • in verbal form
  • by verbal agreement

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Verbal comes from Latin verbum, meaning 'word', combined with the adjective-forming suffix -alis. It entered English in the 1400s through Middle French, originally meaning 'relating to words'. The sense of 'spoken rather than written' developed soon after. The grammar sense ('relating to a verb') appeared in the 1500s, and the noun use (a word derived from a verb) arose in the 1800s as grammar study became more systematic.