verbally

/ˈvɜːbəli/ (bre, ipa) · [vɚbˈæli] /ˈvɜːrbəli/ (ame, ipa) · [vɚbˈæli] /ˈvər-bə-lē How to pronounce verbally (audio)/ (ame, mw)

verbally — adverb

1. through spoken words, as opposed to written form

1.副詞B2
釋義

through spoken words, as opposed to written form

例句

Kwame gave his answer verbally, so no one wrote it in the minutes.

The manager told Ingrid verbally that her contract would not be renewed.

verbally + that-clause for conveying spoken information

同義詞
  • orally

    more formal; common in medical, legal, or academic contexts

  • aloud

    emphasises that words can be heard by others

  • out loud

    more casual, everyday equivalent of 'aloud'

反義詞
  • in writing

    the direct opposite: recorded on paper or digitally

  • on paper

    more informal antonym, often used in contrast

文法句型

verb + verbally

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2 (IN TERMS OF WORDS): this sense is specifically about speaking aloud rather than writing. If you can replace 'verbally' with 'out loud' or 'orally,' you want sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌She verbally texted him the address.
✅She told him the address over the phone.
💡'verbally' refers to spoken words, not typed messages on a screen.

2. in terms of words or language ability

2.副詞B2
釋義

in terms of words or language ability

例句

Beatriz is verbally gifted and can learn a new language in just a few months.

collocation: verbally gifted

The two politicians attacked each other verbally during the televised debate.

collocation: attacked verbally

同義詞
反義詞
  • non-verbally

    through means other than language, such as gestures or images

  • numerically

    in terms of numbers rather than words

文法句型

verbally + adjective

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (THROUGH SPEECH): this sense is about words or language in general, not specifically about speaking aloud. It often modifies adjectives describing language ability or style (verbally gifted, verbally abusive, verbally skilled).

常見錯誤

❌She was verbally hurt in the car crash.
✅She was physically hurt in the car crash.
💡'verbally' relates to words and language, not the body.