Word
verbal
Phoneticsver·bal, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈvɝbəɫ/
UK/vˈɜːbəl/
Definitions
01spoken
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. spoken rather than written down.
adj. expressed in spoken words; oral rather than written.
日本語:口頭※
“The two managers reached a verbal agreement, but they still need to sign the contract.”
“While a verbal agreement may be legally binding in certain jurisdictions, most solicitors advise securing a written document to prevent future disputes.”
Antonyms
02relating to words
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. relating to words or the use of words.
adj. of or relating to words, or the ability to use words effectively.
Español:verbal
“The exam includes a verbal reasoning section to test your vocabulary.”
“The candidate demonstrated exceptional verbal skills during the interview, articulating complex technical concepts with remarkable clarity.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03grammar
C1 · Advanced Science Academic · Technical
adj. relating to a verb or coming from a verb.
adj. derived from or having the nature of a verb.
“A gerund is a verbal noun that ends in -ing.”
“The professor explained how verbal adjectives can retain the tense and voice of their parent verbs while functioning as modifiers.”
Usage
Often used to describe nouns or adjectives that function like verbs.
Synonyms
04banter or scolding
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun British English · Informal · Slang
n. insults or aggressive talk directed at someone.
n. informal talk, especially in the form of banter, scolding, or verbal abuse.
“The players were giving each other some verbal during the match.”
“The referee had to intervene when the light-hearted banter between the opposing fans turned into aggressive verbal.”
05to claim someone confessed
C2 · Proficiency Law British English · Slang
v. to claim that someone said something, usually a confession, when they actually did not.
v. to falsely attribute a spoken confession or statement to a suspect.
“The prisoner claimed that the detectives had verballed him to get a conviction.”
“The investigation revealed that the officers had systematically verballed suspects to secure convictions in high-profile cases.”
Usage
Transitive verb; usually used in the context of police misconduct.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “verbal” in context.
Verb
01. exchange verbal barbs
“The two politicians continued to exchange verbal barbs throughout the televised debate.”
verb + adj + noun
02. give a verbal warning
“The manager decided to give a verbal warning before taking any formal disciplinary action.”
verb + adj + noun
03. receive verbal confirmation
“We have received verbal confirmation that the funding will be approved next week.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
04. highly verbal
“Children who are highly verbal often excel in subjects like history and literature.”
adv + adj
05. purely verbal
“The distinction between the two theories is purely verbal and has no practical impact.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. verbal abuse
“The referee reported the player for directing verbal abuse toward the linesman.”
adj + noun
07. verbal agreement
“Although they only had a verbal agreement, he felt honor-bound to complete the project.”
adj + noun
08. verbal communication
“Effective verbal communication is essential for resolving conflicts in the workplace.”
adj + noun
09. verbal dexterity
“The poet's verbal dexterity allowed him to weave complex metaphors into simple verses.”
adj + noun
Confusables
Oral refers exclusively to spoken communication, while verbal relates to the use of words in any form, whether written or spoken.
RememberOral = Mouth. Verbal = Verbs (Words).
Real-World Examples
“Teachers also report similar experiences , including excessive communication demands, verbal abuse and threatening behavior.” “In addition to educational opportunities and obstacles, a student’s verbal and math abilities can be influenced by personal characteristics, Oswald says.” Etymology
From Old French verbal, from Late Latin verbālis (“belonging to a word”). Equivalent to verb + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/verbal
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0