Definition

1. Verb:
   • To convert into a verb or use as a verb: The act of taking a word from another part of speech (like a noun or adjective) and turning it into a verb, or using it in a manner characteristic of a verb.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The word "access" was verbified from the noun to describe the action of obtaining data.
  • Tech enthusiasts often verbify brand names, like saying "to google" something.
  • As language evolves, nouns like "email" are commonly verbified, as in "I'll email you the document."

Advanced Usage

• Linguistic Process: "Verbify" describes a specific morphological process in linguistics, often called "verbing" or "denominalization."
  • Linguists study how new words are verbified to meet communicative needs.
• Creative/Informal Use: The term is often used in discussions about modern language change, especially regarding technology and media.
  • The trend to verbify nouns is particularly strong in marketing and internet slang.

Variants and Related Words

• Verbing (n, informal): The process or result of verbifying; using a noun as a verb.
  • "Verbing" language is a natural part of English evolution.
• Denominal Verb (n): A verb that is derived from a noun. This is the result of verbification.
  • "To chair a meeting" uses a denominal verb derived from the noun "chair."

Synonyms

• Verbalize: To make into a verb or express in words. (Note: "verbalize" has a broader meaning of putting thoughts into words, while "verbify" is specifically about grammatical conversion.)
• Convert to a verb: A more descriptive phrase for the same action.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To verb a noun: An informal, meta-linguistic phrase describing the act of verbification itself.
  • It's amusing to watch people verb nouns in real time on social media.

Verb

1. make into a verb
   • 'mouse' has been verbified by computer users