verbal

Spoken aloud rather than written down.

• We had a verbal agreement.
• The manager gave him a verbal warning.
• Please follow the verbal instructions carefully.

Similar words: spoken, oral

Opposites: written

Common phrases: verbal agreement, verbal warning, verbal instructions

Using words to express something.

• The test measures verbal skills.
• He gave a verbal description of the scene.
• Pictures can support verbal communication.

Similar words: linguistic

Opposites: nonverbal

Common phrases: verbal communication, verbal skills, verbal description

Following the exact words of an original text.

• She produced a verbal translation of the passage.
• The editor checked the version for verbal accuracy.
• A verbal translation may sound unnatural in another language.

Similar words: literal, word-for-word

Opposites: free

Common phrases: verbal translation, verbal accuracy

A word made from a verb that acts as a noun, adjective, or another part of speech.

• Swimming is a verbal in this sentence.
• The class learned to identify verbals.
• A verbal can function as an adjective.

Common phrases: identify a verbal, a verbal phrase