verve

UK: /ˈvɜː^rv/ US: /vɝv/ ,(vûrv)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

verve /vɜrv/   n. [uncountable]

1. liveliness;
   animation;
   enthusiasm or vigor:
   Her novel lacks verve.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

verve (vûrv),  n. 

1. enthusiasm or vigor, as in literary or artistic work;
   spirit:
   Her latest novel lacks verve.
2. vivaciousness;
   liveliness;
   animation:
   I like a teacher with
   plenty of verve.
3. [Archaic.] talent.

• Latin verba words, talk, plural (taken in Vulgar Latin as feminine singular) of verbum word; see verb
• French: enthusiasm, whim, chatter, apparently
• 1690–1700

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

verve / vɜːv/ noun

1. great vitality, enthusiasm, and liveliness; sparkle
2. a rare word for talent

Etymology: 17th Century: from Old French: garrulity, from Latin verba words, chatter