verbalize

[ vur-buh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, ver·bal·ized, ver·bal·iz·ing.

1. to express in words:

   He couldn't verbalize his feelings.

2. Grammar. to convert into a verb:

   to verbalize “butter” into “to butter.”

verb (used without object)

, ver·bal·ized, ver·bal·iz·ing.

1. to use many words; be verbose.
2. to express something verbally.

verbalize

/ ˈvɜːbəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to express (an idea, feeling, etc) in words
2. to change (any word that is not a verb) into a verb or derive a verb from (any word that is not a verb)
3. intr to be verbose

Derived Forms

• ˈverbalˌizer, noun
• ˌverbaliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• verbal·i·zation noun
• verbal·izer noun
• non·verbal·ized adjective
• un·verbal·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of verbalize¹

First recorded in 1600–10; verbal + -ize; compare French verbaliser

Example Sentences

Like a wounded boy desperate for an embrace but who refuses to verbalize his need, he wanders penniless through town, a handsome flesh-and-blood specter in a dirty white suit.

From Los Angeles Times

Later, he added: “I’m just beyond shocked. It’s really hard to verbalize how I am feeling at this point.”

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve had to learn to, like, verbalize things and teach the game … through verbalization.”

From Los Angeles Times

And that’s precisely what art history is — taking the visual and verbalizing it.

From New York Times

The trauma was often too much for them to verbalize.

From Seattle Times