verbal
word
/ˈvɝbəɫ/
VUR-buhl
/vˈɜːbəl/
VUR-buhl
Definition
Related to words, speaking, or language. It often describes communication that is spoken, not written.
Usage & Nuances
"Verbal" can mean anything involving words, especially spoken. It is often used for agreements ("verbal agreement") and skills ("verbal skills"). Be careful: 'verbal' is not always just 'oral'; sometimes it includes written words, but most often it means spoken.
Spanish: verbal - oralPortuguese (BR): verbal - oralPortuguese (PT): verbal - oralChinese (Simplified): 口头的 - 言语的Chinese (Traditional): 口頭的 - 言語的Hindi: मौखिक - शब्दों से संबंधितArabic: شفهي - لفظيBengali: মৌখিক - শব্দগতRussian: устный - словесныйJapanese: 口頭の - 言語のVietnamese: bằng lời nói - ngôn từKorean: 구두의 - 언어의Turkish: sözlü - sözelUrdu: زبانی - لفظیIndonesian: verbal - lisan - secara lisan
Example Sentences
We made a verbal agreement.
basic
His verbal skills are excellent.
basic
She gave me verbal instructions.
basic
Sometimes a verbal promise isn’t enough.
natural
Can you give me a verbal summary of the meeting?
natural
He’s much better at verbal communication than writing.
natural