oral

o-ral · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    (adjective) Relating to or involving the mouth.

  2. 2.

    (adjective) Spoken rather than written.

  3. 3.

    (noun) A spoken examination or test.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    oral history — historical information gathered through spoken accounts
  • •
    oral hygiene — practices for keeping the mouth clean and healthy
  • •
    oral tradition — cultural knowledge passed down through speech

Related words

Antonyms: written
See also: mouth, spoken, verbal, written
Synonyms: spoken, verbal, vocal

Etymology

From Late Latin oralis ("of the mouth"), from Latin os, oris ("mouth").