SKIP TO CONTENT

verve

/vərv/
/vəv/
IPA guide

If something has an energetic style or vitality, you can say it has verve. Dancers are noted for their verve on the stage. Morticians? Not so much.

Similar words to verve include vim, vigor, and élan. Verve comes from the Latin root word verba, meaning "words," and in English originally meant a special talent in writing. Although the "special talent" sense is now archaic, verve is still an excellent choice to describe a writing style.

Definitions of verve
  1. noun
    an energetic style
    synonyms: vitality
    see moresee less
    types:
    light, spark, sparkle, twinkle
    merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance
    type of:
    energy, muscularity, vigor, vigour, vim
    an imaginative lively style (especially style of writing)
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘verve'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family