orally

adverb

oral·​ly ˈȯr-ə-lē How to pronounce orally (audio)
ˈär-
1
: in spoken words : by means of speech
The exam will be given orally.
an orally presented argument
Deaf, signing parents will "babble" to their infants in sign, just as hearing parents do orally; this is how the child learns language …Oliver Sacks
2
: by way of the mouth
The medicine can be administered orally.
Another example is amygdalin, which is found in the pits of peaches and apricots. If consumed orally, it is approximately 40 times more toxic than by intravenous injection …Des W. Connell

Examples of orally in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Leukotriene modifiers: These medications, which are available in pill and liquid form, are taken orally and work to ease inflammation and relax the smooth muscles of the airways. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 10 Jan. 2025 Folk songs, for example, are standards composed orally, given directly into the air, without notation and, therefore, without regard to property rights. E.l. Doctorow, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 Advertisement The lawsuit alleges Harris comforted the boy and during the encounter began forcibly orally copulating the teen. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 This means that not only can current pills work the same with smaller or fewer doses, but other drugs that can’t currently be given orally might now be viable in that form. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for orally 

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of orally was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near orally

Cite this Entry

“Orally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orally. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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