1. relating to or occurring before the development of speech or language skills
Usage: psychology; child development
2. existing or occurring before words are spoken or expressed

Examples

• The preverbal infant communicated through crying and gestures.
• Preverbal children rely on body language to express their needs.
• She had a preverbal understanding of the situation before anyone explained it.
• The therapy focused on preverbal trauma from early childhood.
• His preverbal instincts told him something was wrong.
• Preverbal communication includes facial expressions and pointing.
• The study examined preverbal cognitive development in toddlers.