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verbal

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Verbal means relating to words or speech.

(adjective)

An example of verbal used as an adjective is a verbal presentation which means a presentation delivered through a speech rather than a PowerPoint show or graphs.

The definition of a verbal is a word, usually a noun or adjective, that is created from a verb.

(noun)

An example of a verbal is the word "writing" which is created from the word "write."

See verbal in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

of, in, or by means of words: a verbal image
concerned merely with words, as distinguished from facts, ideas, or actions
in speech; oral rather than written: usage objected to by some: a verbal contract
Now Rare word for word; verbatim: a verbal translation
Gram.
1. of, or made up of, verbs: a verbal auxiliary
2. of, having the nature of, or derived from a verb: a verbal noun
3. used to form verbs: -ate is a verbal suffix

Origin: LME < MFr < LL verbalis, of a word < verbum: see verb

noun

Gram. a verbal noun or some other word, as an adjective, derived from a verb: in English, gerunds, infinitives, and participles are verbals
Linguis. a word or word group that occurs in grammatical functions typical of verbs

Related Forms:

verbally adverb

See verbal in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of, relating to, or associated with words: a detailed verbal description.
a. Concerned with words only rather than with content or ideas: a merely verbal distinction.
b. Consisting of words alone without action: a verbal confrontation.
Expressed in spoken rather than written words; oral: a verbal contract.
Corresponding word for word; literal: a verbal translation.
Grammar
a. Relating to, having the nature or function of, or derived from a verb.
b. Used to form verbs: a verbal suffix.
Of or relating to proficiency in the use and understanding of words: a verbal aptitude test.

noun
Grammar

A verbal noun or adjective.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin verbālis

Origin: , from Latin verbum, word; see verb

Related Forms:

verˈbal·ly adverb

Usage Note: Verbal has been used since the 16th century to refer to spoken, as opposed to written, communication, and the usage cannot be considered incorrect. But because verbal may also mean “by linguistic means,” it may be ambiguous in some contexts. Thus the phrase modern technologies for verbal communication may refer only to devices such as radio, the telephone, and the loudspeaker, or it may refer to devices such as the telegraph, the teletype, and the fax machine. In such contexts it may be clearer to use the word oral to convey the narrower sense of communication by spoken means.

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