verbalize

/ˈvɜːbəlaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈɚbəlˌaɪz] /ˈvɜːrbəlaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈɚbəlˌaɪz] /ˈvər-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce verbalize (audio)/ (ame, mw)

verbalize — verb

  • verbalizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • verbalizeshe / she / it
  • verbalizedpast simple
  • verbalizing-ing form

1. to put a complex thought, feeling, or idea into words, especially when the thoug

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to put a complex thought, feeling, or idea into words, especially when the thought is abstract, intense, or difficult to describe clearly.

例句

Chidi found it hard to verbalize his disappointment after the team lost the match.

verbalize + emotion as direct object

The museum guide helped Quan verbalize what he felt about the ancient sculpture.

verbalize + wh-clause (what + felt)

同義詞
  • articulate

    more formal and precise; suggests careful, clear expression rather than simply finding any words

  • express

    broader and more common; can be done through words, actions, or art, while verbalize is specifically using words

  • voice

    slightly less formal; often implies stating an opinion or concern publicly

反義詞
  • suppress

    to hold back or keep inside rather than express

  • withhold

    to deliberately keep thoughts or feelings unspoken

文法句型

verbalize + noun phrase (emotion / thought / reaction)

verbalize + wh-clause

用法筆記

Often used in therapeutic, introspective, or formal contexts where the speaker finds the emotion or thought difficult to express. Less common in casual everyday conversation — use 'say' or 'tell' instead for simple statements.

常見錯誤

❌I verbalized him about the problem.
✅I told him about the problem.
💡verbalize cannot take an indirect person as object. The direct object must be the thought or feeling.
❌She verbalized loudly.
✅She spoke loudly.
💡verbalize refers to putting content into words, not the volume or manner of speaking.

2. to talk or write at unnecessary length, using far more words than are needed to

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to talk or write at unnecessary length, using far more words than are needed to make the point.

例句

The professor tends to verbalize for twenty minutes before answering a simple question.

intransitive: verbalize + duration phrase (for twenty minutes)

During the meeting, Joshua verbalized endlessly about minor details instead of the main issue.

同義詞
  • ramble

    more informal; suggests disorganized or wandering speech

  • hold forth

    slightly more formal; implies lengthy, self-important speech

文法句型

verbalize + adverbial (for hours / at length / endlessly)

用法筆記

This sense carries a mildly critical tone and is most common in editorial or evaluative contexts. It almost never takes a direct object — you cannot 'verbalize a point' in this meaning.

常見錯誤

❌He verbalized the same idea for an hour.' (as sense 1)
✅He talked around the same idea for an hour.
💡to avoid ambiguity, use clearer verbs like 'ramble' or 'go on' instead of verbalize in sense 2, unless the formal/critical register is intentional.