English Explanatory Dictionary

verve

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Enthusiasm, rapture, spirit, or vigour, especially of imagination such as that which animates an artist, musician, or writer, in composing or performing.
  2. A particular skill in writing.

Pronunciation

/vɜːv/ /vɝv/ En-us-verve.ogg

Word forms

verve

Etymology

Borrowed from French verve (“animation; caprice, whim; rapture; spirit; vigour; type of expression”), probably from Late Latin verva, a variant of Latin verba (“words; discourse; expressions; language”), the plural of verbum (“word”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *werh₁- (“to say, speak”). Doublet of verb and word.

Synonyms

brio élan liveliness moxie panache vivacity ardor alacrity celerity energy enthusiasm exuberance exuberantness fanaticism fervor gusto purpose verve vigor vim zeal zealousness

Derived words

vervy
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