nonverbal
adjective
non·ver·bal
ˌnän-ˈvər-bəl 
: not verbal: such as
a
: not involving or using words
Still, this pope projects eloquence in his off-the-cuff remarks or even during the long interludes between speeches when he is engaged in nonverbal communication with individuals and crowds.—
John S. Driscoll
John S. Driscoll… psychological aggression refers to both coercive verbal behaviors (e.g., insulting or swearing at partner) and coercive nonverbal behaviors that are not directed at the partner's body (e.g., slamming doors or smashing objects).—Alan E. Kazdin et al.
Alan E. Kazdin et al.
b
: being other than verbal
… some hidden, nonverbal quality of her life that could only be alluded to in the act of painting.—Diane Armitage
Diane Armitage
c
: lacking or appearing to lack the ability to engage in speech
She finds she can communicate with nonverbal children using drum beats, for example.—Robert S. Greenberger
Robert S. GreenbergerExamples of nonverbal in a Sentence
Facial expressions are very important for nonverbal communication.
Recent Examples on the Web
As a result, environmental communication is complex, involving verbal, nonverbal, personal, interpersonal, and visual communication.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026
Occasionally, some nitwit will play chicken with the offending lane changer, get in front of him or her, and stop the car in the middle of the road to continue with verbal and nonverbal critique of the offender’s driving skills.
—Oc Register, 18 May 2026
Many of Hauss’s students have complex physical disabilities, and most are nonverbal.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
Police said a Golden Alert was subsequently launched for the toddler, who had autism and was nonverbal.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
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Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026
Occasionally, some nitwit will play chicken with the offending lane changer, get in front of him or her, and stop the car in the middle of the road to continue with verbal and nonverbal critique of the offender’s driving skills.
—Oc Register, 18 May 2026
Many of Hauss’s students have complex physical disabilities, and most are nonverbal.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
Police said a Golden Alert was subsequently launched for the toddler, who had autism and was nonverbal.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonverbal
Cite this Entry
“Nonverbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonverbal. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nonverbal
adjective
non·ver·bal
(ˈ)nän-ˈvər-bəl
1
: being other than verbal
nonverbal symbols
2
: involving little use of language
nonverbal tests
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