Verving

Verving is a linguistic term that refers to the formation of new verbs from words of other parts of speech, most often from nouns or adjectives. In English, this process is typically described as denominal verb formation or as a form of verbalization. Verving can occur through different pathways, including zero-derivation (conversion), affixation, and, less commonly, back-formation or blends.

One common pathway is conversion, also called zero-derivation, where a word shifts category without any change in form. For example, noun forms such as chair and bottle can be used as verbs: to chair a meeting, to bottle the wine. Verbs can also be formed by adding affixes to existing words, such as turning an adjective into a verb with suffixes like -en (brighten) or -ize (realize, modernize), or by creating verbs from nouns with affixes or compounds (to Google, to Photoshop, to greenlight).

Regional and stylistic variation affects verving. Some denominal verbs become standard and widely accepted, while others remain informal, niche, or branded. Brand names in particular frequently become verbs through widespread usage, as in to Google, to Xerox, or to Photoshop, illustrating how verving can reflect technology-driven change and popular culture as much as grammar.

Semantics and syntax shift with verving. Newly formed verbs can adopt range of meanings, aspectual nuances, and argument structures, sometimes extending beyond the original noun’s sense. Over time, these verbs may become fully integrated into a language’s lexicon or remain restricted to informal or specialized contexts.

See also: denominal verb, zero-derivation, word formation, verbification.