verbal

[vur-buh l] /ˈvɜr bəl/
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to words:
verbal ability.
2.
consisting of or in the form of words:
verbal imagery.
3.
expressed in spoken words; oral rather than written:
verbal communication; verbal agreement.
4.
consisting of or expressed in words (as opposed to actions):
a verbal protest.
5.
pertaining to or concerned with words only (as opposed to ideas, facts, or realities):
a purely verbal distinction between two concepts.
6.
corresponding word for word; verbatim:
a verbal translation.
7.
using words:
verbal facility.
8.
based on the use of words (as opposed to other activity):
a verbal score in a test; verbal IQ.
9.
Grammar.
  1. of, pertaining to, or derived from a verb.
  2. used in a sentence as or like a verb, as participles and infinitives.
noun
10.
Grammar. a word, particularly a noun or adjective, derived from a verb.
Origin
1485-95; < Latin verbālis, equivalent to verb(um) word (see verb) + -ālis -al1
Related forms
verbally, adverb
interverbal, adjective
nonverbal, adjective
nonverbally, adverb
preverbal, adjective
subverbal, adjective
unverbal, adjective
unverbally, adverb
Can be confused
oral, verbal (see usage note at the current entry)
verbal, verbose.
Synonyms
3. spoken.
Usage note
3, 4. Verbal has had the meaning “spoken” since the late 16th century and is thus synonymous with oral: He wrote a memorandum to confirm the verbal agreement. Slightly earlier, verbal had developed the meaning “expressed in words, whether spoken or written (as opposed to actions)”: Verbal support is no help without money and supplies. Although some say that the use of verbal to mean “spoken” produces ambiguity, it rarely does so. Verbal is used in this sense in all varieties of speech and writing and is fully standard. The context usually makes the meaning clear: No documents are necessary; a verbal agreement (or contract or order) will suffice. Oral can be used instead of verbal if the context demands: My lawyer insists on a written contract because oral agreements are too difficult to enforce.
Examples from the web for verbal
  • Here, the verbal students enjoy the lessons much more than their kinesthetic peers do.
  • The once-popular rote learning had a valuable place in verbal as opposed to literate cultures.
  • Volunteers show marked improvement in verbal skills after a research team runs a weak current through their foreheads.
  • On caffeine, verbal and motor skills decreased, whereas napping enhanced performance across all three tasks.
  • Applicants must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Others are more amenable to verbal treatment, which doesn't necessarily make them any less strange.
  • These images provoke aha moments far more often than typed or verbal summaries.
  • Researchers also found that participants who scored higher on tests of abstract intelligence and verbal ability were funnier.
  • It is collecting stories and other verbal material specific to the cultures of the participants.
  • Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, acute attention to detail, and the ability to work independently are required.
British Dictionary definitions for verbal

verbal

/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.
(pl) (slang) abuse or invective: new forms of on-field verbals
7.
(pl) (slang) a criminal's admission of guilt on arrest
verb (transitive) -bals, -balling, -balled
8.
(slang) (of the police) to implicate (someone) in a crime by quoting alleged admission of guilt in court
Derived Forms
verbally, adverb
Word Origin and History for verbal
adj.

late 15c., "dealing with words" (especially in contrast to things or realities), from Latin verbalis "consisting of words, relating to verbs," from verbum "word" (see verb). Verbal conditioning is recorded from 1954. Colloquial verbal diarrhea is recorded from 1823.