Meaning & use
verbally
Last updated
Meanings
adverbnot comparable
By speaking, not by writing.
Grammar: Goes after the verb or before an adjective: he agreed verbally.
Patterns
- agree verbally
- verbally abuse someone
She agreed verbally, but nothing was signed.
The teacher explained the rules verbally.
He told me verbally that I got the job.
adverbnot comparable
Using words, in contrast with actions or body language.
Grammar: Used about language ability or behavior: verbally skilled.
Patterns
- verbally skilled
- verbally aggressive
The child is verbally advanced for her age.
He was verbally aggressive but never violent.
The test checks how verbally clever the students are.
Common combinations
- verbally abuse
- The coach verbally abused the players.
- verbally agree
- They verbally agreed on the price.
- verbally attack
- He verbally attacked the referee.
- verbally communicate
- Babies verbally communicate with sounds.
- verbally express
- She struggled to verbally express her feelings.
Synonyms and how they differ
- orally
- Orally is more formal and common in exams, while verbally is common in everyday talk.
- aloud
- Aloud means in a voice that can be heard, but does not contrast with writing as clearly.
- by word of mouth
- By word of mouth often implies spreading news among people, not just speaking.
- in speech
- In speech is neutral and plain.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: verbally or orally? verbally or verbatim?
verbally vs orally
Orally also means by mouth, as in medicine taken orally, while verbally concerns words.
verbally vs verbatim
Verbatim means word for word, not spoken.
Practice
Which phrase is the opposite of 'verbally' in the sense of speaking rather than writing?
Choose one answer.
Verbally contrasts with in writing. The others describe how something is said, not whether it is spoken or written.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “verbally”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.