nonverbal
adjective
non·ver·bal
| \ ˌnän-ˈvər-bəl
\
\
Definition of nonverbal
: 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 … 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.
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
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
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from nonverbal
nonverbally
\ ˌnän-ˈvər-bə-lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Examples of nonverbal in a Sentence
Facial expressions are very important for nonverbal communication.
Recent Examples on the Web
There are also nonverbal signals, such as pointing, clapping, or a piercing glance that cue students to important ideas. — Kenneth A. Kiewra, The Conversation, "7 tips on how to take better notes," 3 Sep. 2019 Cain said that the way that discussion with patients turns into therapy often hinges on picking up nonverbal cues, or trying to get at things that the patient themselves may not be actively thinking about, things bubbling under the surface. — Mike Murphy, Quartz, "This app is trying to replicate you," 29 Aug. 2019 Learn techniques for managing speaking anxiety, nonverbal gestures to enhance communication, and how to control tone and speed. — Max Jungreis, BostonGlobe.com, "Business agenda," 13 Aug. 2019 This nonverbal invitation is all the encouragement anyone needs. — Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, "How the simple art of cutting fruit can be an act of love," 25 July 2019 For bartenders, being present means strategic eavesdropping on conversations and paying attention to guests’ verbal and nonverbal cues. — Fortune, "How the Bar Industry Plans to Deal With Harassment in the Workplace—Including Unruly Guests," 17 Aug. 2019 Be extra sensitive to verbal and nonverbal cues the interviewer is giving, and do your best to build rapport to keep interest high. — Kimberly Thompson, Houston Chronicle, "Career Rescue: Is there an ideal time of day for an interview?," 24 June 2019 Ian Ritch, who reported Maddox missing, said his son has nonverbal autism. — Kathleen Joyce, Fox News, "Police searching for mysterious man in white truck who may have been last to see missing boy with autism," 28 Sep. 2018 Rather than portraying the girls as materialistic or silly, the scene depicts Eleven exploring her taste and identity for the first time—no small thing for a character who was nearly nonverbal in Season 1. — Michelle Delgado, The Atlantic, "What the Starcourt Mall Means to the World of Stranger Things," 17 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nonverbal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for nonverbal
nonverbal
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of nonverbal
: not involving or using words
: not able to speak
See the full definition for nonverbal in the English Language Learners Dictionary