spoken

adjective

spo·​ken ˈspō-kən 

1

: delivered by word of mouth : oral

2

: characterized by speaking in (such) a manner

—used in combination

soft-spoken

plainspoken

Synonyms

• nuncupative
• oral
• unwritten
• verbal
• viva voce
• word-of-mouth

Examples of spoken in a Sentence

a spoken agreement is too easily broken

a politician who knows the power of the spoken word

Recent Examples on the Web

Is Copilot Vision Useful? Copilot Vision is excellent at providing detailed spoken descriptions of what’s on a web page, alongside rich background and context. —Michael Muchmore, PCMAG, 4 Jan. 2025

Stability and immutability are not characteristics of the spoken word. —Louise Glück, The New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2025

Trending on Billboard Lennon’s last Grammy nomination was at the 1985 ceremony – best spoken word or non-musical recording for Heart Play (Unfinished Dialogue), a collab with Yoko Ono. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 31 Dec. 2024

Moreover, the Theatres Act of 1843 removed longstanding restrictions on performance, including a rule that spoken drama could not be performed without royal permission. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

past participle of speak

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spoken

• be spoken for
• fair-spoken
• free-spoken
• short-spoken
• softly-spoken
• soft-spoken
• well-spoken

Kids Definition

spoken

adjective

spo·​ken ˈspō-kən 

1

: given by or using speech

a spoken message

the spoken language

2

: speaking in a specified manner

soft-spoken

plainspoken