What does verbal mean?
Verbal is an English adjective describing something connected with words, speech, or the use of language. Its most familiar sense means spoken rather than written, as in a verbal warning or verbal agreement, although it can also refer broadly to communication through words. A verbal contract, for example, may be spoken rather than documented, while verbal communication can include both spoken and written exchanges. In some grammatical contexts, verbal contrasts with nonverbal, describing behavior that does not primarily involve words. As a noun, a verbal means an oral examination or questioning, a use that is informal and especially common in military and institutional settings. The word is useful because it highlights the relationship between language and the activity being described. Its Latin origin, through verbalis and verbum, links it to related English words such as verbose, verbatim, and verbiage.
Relating to words or language; expressed in speech rather than writing.
"The teacher preferred verbal feedback to lengthy written comments."
The sense 'relating to words' is broader than the sense 'spoken rather than written.' The word is common in formal, educational, legal, and workplace contexts.
An oral examination or brief questioning, especially in a military or institutional context.
"Candidates are required to complete a verbal before the practical examination."
This noun use is chiefly informal and is particularly associated with military and institutional language.
The plural is used for separate oral examinations or instances of verbal questioning.
"The recruits completed their verbals before the training exercises began."
The word verbal began with a simple Latin idea: 'relating to words'; its familiar meaning as 'spoken rather than written' later grew from that connection.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How verbal is actually used
In general use, verbal is often synonymous with oral, but oral is more specifically concerned with speech, while verbal can also mean relating to words in general. The noun verbal is informal and is especially associated with military or institutional examinations. In grammar, 'verbal' can refer to something involving words, as in verbal communication or a verbal noun.
Easily confused with verbal
A verbal relates to words, speech, or language, whereas a verb is the grammatical part of speech expressing an action, state, or occurrence.