Verbal Meaning
Verbal Definition & Usage
Relating to or consisting of words, especially spoken words.
Examples
- "The teacher gave a verbal explanation of the concept."
- "They had a verbal agreement to meet at noon."
- "His verbal response was unclear and needed further clarification."
- "During the meeting, she made several verbal suggestions to improve the project."
- "The team leader praised their verbal communication skills in front of the group."
Expressed in speech rather than writing, especially in terms of legal contracts or agreements.
Examples
- "They reached a verbal contract during the phone call."
- "Verbal agreements, although valid, can be difficult to enforce in court."
- "The employee and employer had a verbal understanding about the job conditions."
- "Verbal instructions were given to the team on how to proceed with the project."
- "Despite the verbal promises made, there was no written confirmation."
Relating to or involving the spoken aspect of language, including pronunciation and speech sounds.
Examples
- "He was trained in verbal phonetics to improve his accent."
- "The verbal skills of the students were assessed during the exam."
- "The linguist studied the verbal differences between the two dialects."
- "Her verbal articulation was clear, which made her speech easier to understand."
- "In some cultures, verbal expression is highly valued in social interactions."
Cultural Context
The term 'verbal' has evolved from its Latin root 'verbum', meaning 'word'. It is most commonly used in contexts relating to spoken language but can also apply to informal or formal agreements, emphasizing communication through words. The term contrasts with non-verbal communication (body language, gestures, etc.) and written communication.
The Verbal Agreement
Story
The Verbal Agreement
Maya had always been a person of words. As a project manager at a rapidly growing tech firm, she relied on clear and precise verbal communication with her team. It was her belief that a spoken word was just as binding as a written contract, and she often made decisions in meetings based on verbal agreements alone. One afternoon, during a tense client meeting, Maya found herself faced with a crucial decision. The client, Mr. Archer, had promised his team would provide a necessary report by the end of the week. Maya, though, was cautious about relying purely on a verbal commitment. She'd been burned before by what seemed like straightforward promises that ended in misunderstandings. 'Are we on track for the report by Friday?' she asked, her tone firm. 'Yes, of course, Maya,' Mr. Archer responded, his voice confident. 'Verbal commitment is as good as written in this case.' Maya paused, considering the ramifications of his statement. 'I trust you, Mr. Archer, but let’s make sure we follow up with an email to confirm the details. A verbal agreement is only effective if everyone is on the same page.' Later, Maya reflected on how the situation had unfolded. Her team thrived on verbal communication—quick, effective, and clear. However, she knew the power of words could be fleeting. She made a mental note to reinforce the importance of written confirmation, even when things seemed straightforward. After all, verbal agreements, though useful in many cases, could leave room for doubt. As she walked out of the meeting, her assistant, Mark, asked, 'Do you think the verbal agreement will hold up?' Maya smiled, shaking her head slightly. 'In business, verbal is only half the story.'
Related Words
