Oral
ˈɔːrəl
Definitions
2 meaningsRelating to or involving the mouth or spoken words.
ˈɔːrəl
Relating to or involving the mouth.
The patient received oral medication.
💡 Simply: It's anything that has to do with your mouth! Like taking medicine by swallowing it, or telling someone something with your words.
👶 For kids: About your mouth! Like, when you eat with your mouth or talk.
More Examples
She described the injury in oral detail.
Oral hygiene is essential for healthy teeth.
How It's Used
"The doctor prescribed an oral medication."
"The oral cavity includes the mouth and related structures."
Spoken or delivered by speech rather than in writing.
ˈɔːrəl
Conveyed by speech rather than writing.
The contract was an oral agreement.
💡 Simply: It’s when you say something out loud instead of writing it down. Like telling a story to your friends instead of typing it.
👶 For kids: Talking instead of writing!
More Examples
She gave an oral presentation.
The instructions were provided in oral form.
How It's Used
"The agreement was reached through oral communication."
"The witness provided an oral testimony."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
oral history
The collection and interpretation of historical information based on people's recollections.
"The museum had a large collection of oral histories from the town's residents."
From Latin *ōrālis* ('of the mouth, spoken'), related to *ōs* ('mouth').
The word 'oral' has been used since the 15th century to describe things related to the mouth or speech.
Memory tip
Think of the mouth, where words are spoken and medicine can be taken.
Word Origin
"mouth"