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Glite Dictionary
verbal agreement

verbal agreement

3 3.4
People make a deal by speaking instead of writing
  • noun
  • /ˈvɜrbəl əˈɡrimənt/
translation icon : acuerdo verbal
  • Since we already had a verbal agreement, we started the project without any written contract.
  • reneged on a verbal agreement
  • made a verbal agreement

Well, they agreed to, they agreed verbally and unfortunately those verbal agreements are not enough for that.

Examples

  • MMARising.com has confirmed with sources close to the promotion that verbal agreements are in place for the targeted 105-pound matchup.

    Blog text (3)

  • You know what man said about verbal agreements, they're not worth the paper they're printed on.

    The Spanish Prisoner (1997)

  • You two have a verbal agreement.

    American Dream (2021)

  • We'll make it a verbal agreement.

    No Escape (1994)

  • A verbal agreement is fine.

    Hop (2011)

  • "No, but we have a verbal agreement."

    Fiction book (2001)

  • A verbal agreement to pay the debt, or meet the obligation of someone else, will not hold up in court.

    Blog text (26)

  • Mr. V and his grandson entered into a verbal agreement: the older man transferred ownership of the house to his grandson at no cost.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Neal, I don't have a contract myself, but I do make it a practice to make a verbal agreement.

    Blog text (25)

  • If you have a verbal agreement about paying installments on your account, please keep your part of the deal or call if you hit a bump.

    Blog text (14)

Synonyms

oral contract
vsverbal agreement
  • Specialized
2 4.2

An agreement spoken rather than written that is legally binding

is a general spoken arrangement not necessarily legally binding
parol
vsverbal agreement
  • Formal
9.9

A spoken statement or agreement that is not written

is the everyday spoken deal not limited to legal usage

Antonyms

written agreement
  • Formal
3 2.7

A document that writes down what two or more people agree to

How Binding

contract
∞ 2.8
written agreement
  • Formal
3 2.7
verbal agreement
3 3.4

Surface Forms

verbal agreement singular
verbal agreements plural

Morphology

verbal + agreement

The meaning 'an agreement made by spoken words' is directly and compositionally derived from 'verbal' (expressed in spoken words) modifying 'agreement' (a mutual arrangement). This ADJ + NOUN combination follows a regular descriptive pattern found across many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Verbal agreement comes from verbal meaning 'spoken words' and agreement meaning a promise between people. Imagine two people saying 'yes' to each other with no paper; that's why it means a promise made by talking rather than 'in writing'.