adj
verbal
VUR-buhl
adj
1
Relating to words, especially spoken rather than written ones.
"They reached a verbal agreement before signing the contract."
"Her verbal skills impressed the interview panel."
How to Use Verbal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving to do with words, usually spoken words rather than something written down.
Common mistake
A "verbal agreement" is spoken, not written — it can still be legally binding, but it's harder to prove.
Common pairings
verbal agreement
verbal warning
verbal skills
verbal abuse
Word Forms
verbaled past tense, verballed past tense, verbals plural, verbals singular
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They reached a _____ agreement before signing the contract.
Etymology
From Late Latin verbalis, "belonging to a word," from verbum ("word").