verbatim
verbatim
Pronunciation
/vɜːrˈbeɪtɪm/.
ver: /vɜːr/
/v/ - voiced labiodental fricative
/ɜː/ - mid-central long vowel (stressed syllable)
/r/ - approximant consonant
ba: /beɪ/
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop
/eɪ/ - diphthong (as in "face")
tim: /tɪm/
/t/ - voiceless alveolar stop
/ɪ/ - close-mid near-front unrounded vowel
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal
Word Form Variations
verbatim (adjective): This is the most common usage, meaning "in exactly the same words as were used originally." Example: "He provided a verbatim transcript of the conversation." It doesn't change form for singular or plural nouns it modifies. We don't say "verbatims transcripts."
verbatim (adverb): It can also function as an adverb, meaning "word for word." Example: "He repeated the message verbatim." Adverbs don't typically inflect.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition: Reproduced or repeated in exactly the same words as the original; word-for-word.
Synonyms: Literal, exact, precise, faithful, accurate, unedited, direct, textual
Antonyms: Paraphrased, summarized, abridged, interpreted, loose, approximate, inexact, general
Example: "The witness provided a verbatim account of the incident."
Adverb:
Definition: In exactly the same words as the original; word for word.
Synonyms: Literally, exactly, precisely, accurately, faithfully, directly, textually
Antonyms: Paraphrastically, summarily, loosely, approximately, generally, interpretively
Example: "He recited the poem verbatim."
As mentioned before, "verbatim" is not typically used as a noun or verb in standard English. If we were to try to force it into those roles, it would be highly unusual and likely misunderstood. For example:
(Uncommon/Nonstandard Noun - Hypothetical): A "verbatim" could (hypothetically) refer to a precise, word-for-word copy. This is not an established usage.
(Uncommon/Nonstandard Verb - Hypothetical): To "verbatim" something could (hypothetically) mean to copy it word for word. This is also not an established usage.
Examples of Use
Books:
"He read the letter verbatim, his voice flat and emotionless." (Fictional example - demonstrating typical use in narrative)
"The transcript is presented verbatim, with no editorial changes." (Academic or non-fiction example - emphasizing accuracy)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The politician's statement, released verbatim, sparked immediate controversy." (News article - highlighting the importance of the exact wording) (Hypothetical example - common news reporting style)
"We have published the leaked email verbatim for our readers to examine." (Investigative journalism - emphasizing transparency) (Hypothetical example - common journalistic practice)
"Here's the recipe, verbatim from my grandmother's cookbook." (Lifestyle article/blog - indicating authenticity) (Hypothetical example - common online content style)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"The actor delivered the monologue verbatim, capturing the playwright's intent perfectly." (Theater review - praising the performance) (Hypothetical example - common arts criticism)
"The subtitles displayed the dialogue verbatim." (Film/TV - ensuring accurate representation of speech)
"The podcast featured a verbatim reading of the historical document." (Podcast - utilizing the word to describe content presentation.) (Hypothetical example - common podcast format)
General Public Discourse:
"I can't remember the quote verbatim, but it was something like..." (Conversation - acknowledging the need for precise wording, even if it's not perfectly recalled)
"Please ensure that the minutes of the meeting are recorded verbatim." (Business/meeting context - emphasizing the importance of accurate record-keeping)
"He repeated the instructions verbatim so there would be no misunderstanding." (Everyday communication - ensuring clarity)
10 Famous Quotes Using Verbatim
"I cannot recite it verbatim, but I remember its soul." — Maya Angelou
"History is never told verbatim—it is told with bias." — Howard Zinn
"To quote someone verbatim is not to understand them completely." — Carl Jung
"Memorize less, understand more. Life isn't a script to follow verbatim." — Richard Feynman
"The law must be followed verbatim, but justice lives in its spirit." — Thurgood Marshall
"I read the contract verbatim—and still missed what was between the lines." — Gloria Steinem
"A parrot can repeat verbatim, but only a thinker knows the meaning." — Socrates
"He copied it verbatim, but it lacked the soul of the original." — Oscar Wilde
"Don't live your life verbatim to others' expectations." — Oprah Winfrey
"Verbatim memory is useful, but wisdom edits." — Unknown
Etymology
"Verbatim" comes directly from Latin. It's a combination of two words:
verbum: This means "word" in Latin. Think of it as the root of the word.
-atim: This is an adverbial suffix, kind of like adding "-ly" to a word in English to make it an adverb. It indicates a manner or way of doing something.
So, put them together: verbum + atim = verbatim. It literally means "word by word" or "in a word-for-word manner."
The first known use of "verbatim" in English, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was in the late 16th century (around the 1580s). It entered the English language already carrying its Latin meaning: "in the same words as the original; word for word." It has retained this core meaning ever since.
Essentially, "verbatim" has been used for centuries to emphasize the importance of exactness and accuracy when reproducing speech or text. It highlights that something is being repeated or transcribed precisely as it was originally spoken or written, without any changes or paraphrasing.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Verbatim
Phrases using "verbatim":
"Verbatim transcript": This is a very common phrase, referring to a written record of spoken words, reproduced exactly as they were said.
"Quote verbatim": This phrase means to reproduce someone's words exactly as they were spoken or written.
"Repeat verbatim": Similar to "quote verbatim," this emphasizes the word-for-word repetition.
"Verbatim account": This refers to a detailed, word-for-word description of an event or conversation.
"Verbatim copy": This is a direct, word-for-word reproduction of a written document.
Synonymous Idioms/Phrases (expressing similar ideas):
Since "verbatim" is about accuracy and exactness, we can look at idioms that capture those concepts:
"To the letter": This idiom means to follow instructions or rules precisely, without deviation. It conveys a similar sense of exactness as "verbatim." Example: "He followed the instructions to the letter."
"Word for word": This phrase is almost a direct synonym for "verbatim" and is frequently used. Example: "She repeated the message word for word."
"Dot the i's and cross the t's": This idiom emphasizes attention to detail and accuracy, similar to the spirit of "verbatim." Example: "Make sure you dot the i's and cross the t's on this contract."
"Precisely": While not an idiom, this adverb captures the essence of "verbatim" in a single word. Example: "He described the event precisely."
"Accurately": Similar to "precisely," this emphasizes correctness and fidelity to the original. Example: "The translation was done accurately."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of verbatim from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
