non-verbal

/ˌnɒn ˈvɜːbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːn ˈvɜːrbl/ (ame, ipa)

non-verbal — adjective

1. relating to communication that does not use spoken or written words, often relyi

1.形容詞B2
釋義

relating to communication that does not use spoken or written words, often relying on gestures, facial expressions, body language, or other visual signs instead.

例句

Rafael's non-verbal signals—like nodding and eye contact—showed he was paying close attention.

collocation: non-verbal signals / cues

The teacher raised a hand as a non-verbal cue to quiet the class.

collocation: non-verbal cue

同義詞
  • wordless

    more literary; often implies emotional or poetic silence

  • gestural

    more specific; refers only to communication through gestures

  • silent

    broader; can mean no sound at all rather than specifically no words

反義詞
  • verbal

    involving words, either spoken or written

  • spoken

    specifically involving speech

文法句型

non-verbal + noun (communication, cue, signal)

用法筆記

Frequently used before nouns such as 'communication', 'cues', 'signals', and 'behaviour'. Distinguish from sense 2 — this sense describes the method or style of communication, not a person's ability to speak.

常見錯誤

❌She sent me a non-verbal text message.
✅She sent me a non-verbal signal with a quick nod.
💡A text message uses words, so it is verbal; non-verbal means without any words at all.
❌The room was completely non-verbal.
✅The room was completely silent.
💡'Non-verbal' describes a type of communication, not a lack of sound.

2. describes a person who is unable to speak, either temporarily due to illness or

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person who is unable to speak, either temporarily due to illness or injury, or permanently as part of a medical condition.

例句

Baraka's younger brother is non-verbal and uses pictures on a tablet to communicate.

collocation: non-verbal + [person]

After the stroke, Walid was temporarily non-verbal and wrote everything on a small board.

temporary condition: after stroke / accident

同義詞
  • speechless

    temporary and often emotional, not a permanent condition

  • unable to speak

    more clinical and descriptive, less common as a single term

  • mute

    an older term that may sound outdated or offensive in some contexts

反義詞

文法句型

non-verbal + noun (child, patient, person)

用法筆記

Used primarily to describe people who have a speech impairment or have temporarily lost the ability to speak. In medical and educational contexts, it is a neutral, respectful term. Distinguish from sense 1 — this sense refers to a person's condition, not the method of communication.

常見錯誤

❌The non-verbal dog wagged its tail.
✅The non-verbal child used pictures to ask for a drink.
💡'Non-verbal' is used for people who cannot speak; for animals, use 'mute' or 'silent' instead.
❌He stayed non-verbal during the meeting.
✅He stayed silent during the meeting.
💡A person who chooses not to speak is 'silent', not 'non-verbal'; 'non-verbal' implies an inability to speak.