# verbal

/ˈvɝbəɫ/ (US) · /vˈɜːbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/verbal
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. spoken

adjective · CEFR B2

spoken rather than written down.

For teachers: expressed in spoken words; oral rather than written.

- 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.

### 2. relating to words

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to words or the use of words.

For teachers: of or relating to words, or the ability to use words effectively.

- 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.

### 3. grammar

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

relating to a verb or coming from a verb.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. banter or scolding

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Informal · Slang

insults or aggressive talk directed at someone.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to claim someone confessed

verb · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang

to claim that someone said something, usually a confession, when they actually did not.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The manager gave me a verbal warning about being late.
- They reached a verbal agreement over lunch, but the lawyers still need to draft a formal contract.
- While the student showed great aptitude for visual patterns, his verbal reasoning scores suggested he struggled to articulate complex logical sequences in speech.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.