oral

1 of 2

adjective

ˈȯr-əl 

ˈär-

1

a

: uttered by the mouth or in words : spoken

oral traditions

b

: using speech or the lips especially in teaching the deaf

2

a

: of, given through, or involving the mouth

oral health

an oral vaccine

b

: being on or relating to the same surface as the mouth

3

a

: of, relating to, or characterized by the first stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory during which libidinal gratification is derived from intake (as of food), by sucking, and later by biting

b

: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits of passive dependency and aggressiveness

orality

ȯ-ˈra-lə-tē 

ō-

noun

oral

2 of 2

noun

: an oral examination

—usually used in plural

Synonyms

Adjective

• spoken
• uttered
• vocal
• voiced

Examples of oral in a Sentence

Adjective

She practices good oral hygiene by brushing her teeth at least twice a day.

As part of her oral examination, she had to recite the names of all the presidents.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The case is set to be heard this term, with oral arguments likely to be held this spring and a decision by summer. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024

In October, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case debating the constitutionality of the ATF’s rule. —Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 13 Dec. 2024

Noun

Swedish Match data shows the vast majority are previous consumers of traditional oral, vaping, and cigarette products with others coming from other nicotine product categories. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

Still, the most effective therapies for female pattern hair loss include minoxidil (usually topical, but low-dose oral is increasingly used), spironolactone, and finasteride. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 27 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin or-, os mouth; akin to Old Norse ōss mouth of a river, Sanskrit ās mouth

First Known Use

Adjective

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1876, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing oral

• oral contraceptive
• oral history
• oral sex
• oral tradition

Kids Definition

oral

adjective

ˈōr-əl,

ˈȯr-,

ˈär-

1

: uttered by the mouth : spoken

2

: of, relating to, given by, or near the mouth

oral hygiene

orally

-ə-lē

adverb

Medical Definition

oral

adjective

ˈōr-əl, ˈȯr-, ˈär- 

1

a

: of, relating to, or involving the mouth : buccal

the oral mucous membrane

b

: given or taken through or by way of the mouth

an oral vaccine

an oral suspension of a drug

c

: acting on the mouth

oral diseases

2

: emphasizing lipreading and the development of vocal expression in teaching the deaf compare manual sense 2

3

a

: of, relating to, or characterized by the first stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory during which libidinal gratification is derived from intake (as of food), by sucking, and later by biting

b

: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits of passive dependence and aggressiveness compare anal sense 2, genital sense 3, phallic sense 2

orality

ȯ-ˈral-ət-ē, ō- 

noun

plural oralities

orally adverb

Geographical Definition

Oral

geographical name

ȯ-ˈräl 

variants or Uralsk

ü-ˈrälsk 

yu̇-ˈralsk

city on the Ural River in western Kazakhstan population 202,161