Verbal means relating to words, especially spoken ones. When your teacher asks for a verbal explanation of your science project, she wants you to use words to describe it rather than just showing diagrams. A verbal agreement is a promise made out loud instead of written down and signed.

Some people use verbal to mean only spoken, but it can also refer more broadly to language and words in general.

In grammar class, you'll learn about verbals, which are words formed from verbs but used in other ways. For example, “swimming” in “swimming is fun” comes from the verb “to swim” but acts as a noun.

You might hear about someone's verbal skills, meaning how well they use language to express ideas, tell stories, or explain things. Strong verbal skills help in debates, presentations, and conversations. Some people have excellent verbal abilities while others shine in areas like math, art, or athletics.