2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use verbal to indicate that something is connected with words and the use of words. □ The test has scores for verbal skills, mathematical skills, and abstract reasoning skills.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] In grammar, verbal means relating to a verb. □ …a verbal noun.
ver|bal|ize /vɜː r bəla I z/ (verbalizes , verbalizing , verbalized ) in BRIT, also use verbalise VERB If you verbalize your feelings, thoughts, or ideas, you express them in words. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …his inability to verbalize his feelings. [Also V ]
ver|ba|tim /və r be I t I m/ ADV [ADV after v] If you repeat something verbatim , you use exactly the same words as were used originally. □ The President's speeches are regularly reproduced verbatim in the state-run newspapers. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Verbatim is also an adjective. □ She gave me a verbatim report of every conversation she's had this week.
ve rb group (verb groups ) N‑COUNT A verb group or verbal group consists of a verb, or of a main verb following a modal or one or more auxiliaries. Examples are 'walked', 'can see', and 'had been waiting'.
ver|bi|age /vɜː r bi I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to someone's speech or writing as verbiage , you are critical of them because they use too many words, which makes their speech or writing difficult to understand. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Many mission statements are nothing but empty verbiage.
ver|bose /vɜː r boʊ s/ ADJ If you describe a person or a piece of writing as verbose , you are critical of them because they use more words than are necessary, and so make you feel bored or annoyed. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …verbose politicians. □ His writing is difficult and often verbose.
ver|dant /vɜː r d ə nt/ ADJ If you describe a place as verdant , you mean that it is covered with green grass, trees, and plants. [LITERARY ] □ …a small verdant garden with a view out over Paris.
ver|dict ◆◇◇ /vɜː r d I kt/ (verdicts )
1 N‑COUNT In a court of law, the verdict is the decision that is given by the jury or judge at the end of a trial. □ The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. □ Three judges will deliver their verdict in October.
2 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] Someone's verdict on something is their opinion of it, after thinking about it or investigating it. □ The doctor's verdict was that he was entirely healthy. [Also + on ] SYNONYMS verdict NOUN 1
decision: A decision was taken to discipline Marshall.
finding: The government hopes the court will announce its findings before the end of the month.
judgment: The industry was awaiting a judgment from the European Court.
ver|di|gris /vɜː r d I gr I s, -griːs/ N‑UNCOUNT Verdigris is a greenish-blue substance that forms on the metals copper, brass, and bronze after they have been left in wet or damp conditions.
verge /vɜː r dʒ/ (verges , verging , verged )
1 PHRASE If you are on the verge of something, you are going to do it very soon or it is likely to happen or begin very soon. □ The country was on the verge of becoming prosperous and successful. □ Carole was on the verge of tears.
2 N‑COUNT The verge of a road is a narrow piece of ground by the side of a road, which is usually covered with grass or flowers. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use shoulder
▸ verge on PHRASAL VERB If someone or something verges on a particular state or quality, they are almost the same as that state or quality. □ [V P n] …a fury that verged on madness.
veri|fi|able /ve r I fa I əb ə l/ ADJ Something that is verifiable can be proved to be true or genuine. □ This is not a romantic notion, but verifiable fact.
veri|fy /ve r I fa I / (verifies , verifying , verified )
1 VERB If you verify something, you check that it is true by careful examination or investigation. □ [V n] I verified the source from which I had that information. □ [V that] A clerk simply verifies that the payment and invoice amount match. ● veri|fi|ca|tion /ve r I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] All charges against her are dropped pending the verification of her story.
2 VERB [no cont] If you verify something, you state or confirm that it is true. □ [V n] The government has not verified any of those reports. □ [V that] I can verify that it takes about thirty seconds.
veri|ly /ve r I li/ ADV Verily is an old-fashioned or religious word meaning 'truly'. It is used to emphasize a statement or opinion. [EMPHASIS ] □ Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
veri|si|mili|tude /ve r I s I m I l I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ N‑UNCOUNT Verisimilitude is the quality of seeming to be true or real. [FORMAL ] □ At the required level of visual verisimilitude, computer animation is costly.
veri|table /ve r I təb ə l/ ADJ You can use veritable to emphasize the size, amount, or nature of something. [EMPHASIS ] □ …a veritable feast of pre-match entertainment.
ver|ity /ve r I ti/ (verities ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The verities of something are all the things that are believed to be true about it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …some verities of human nature.
ver|mil|ion /və r m I liən/ COLOUR Vermilion is used to describe things that are bright red in colour. [LITERARY ] □ …her vermilion lip gloss. □ The furniture on it is glossy vermilion.
ver|min /vɜː r m I n/ N‑PLURAL Vermin are small animals such as rats and mice which cause problems to humans by carrying disease and damaging crops or food.