A word-for-word report of a speech.
"The journalist took down every word of the mayor's address verbatim."
In plain English: Verbatim means repeating something exactly as it was said, word for word.
"She wrote down his exact words verbatim in her notebook."
Corresponding with the original word for word.
"She repeated his instructions verbatim to ensure no details were missed."
In plain English: Verbatim means repeating something word for word exactly as it was said or written originally.
"She repeated his words verbatim to everyone in the room."
Word for word; in exactly the same words as were used originally.
"She recited the poem verbatim, using every single word from the original manuscript."
In plain English: To do something verbatim means to say it exactly as someone else said it, using their exact same words and order.
"She repeated his story exactly verbatim from start to finish."
Usage: Use "verbatim" to emphasize that every single word matches the original source, distinguishing it from similar terms like "literally" which can imply exaggeration in casual contexts. Avoid using it when you simply mean something is true or accurate without requiring an exact textual reproduction.
The word "verbatim" entered English around 1481 from the Medieval Latin phrase meaning "word for word." It is built on the root verbum, which simply means "word," combined with a suffix that turns it into an adverb.