oral
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for oral, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Relating to the mouth.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
aboral
anal
How to use oral
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
oral tradition
oral exam
oral hygiene
Etymology
From Late Latin oralis, from os, "mouth," plus the adjective ending -alis.
Full origin of oral →Frequently asked questions
What does “oral” mean?
The word “oral” means relating to the mouth. In plain terms, either "of the mouth" or "spoken, not written.".
How do you pronounce “oral”?
“Oral” is pronounced AW-ruhl (/ˈɔ.ɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “oral” in a sentence?
Here is “oral” used in a sentence: “The dentist checked her oral health during the visit.”
What part of speech is “oral”?
“Oral” is an adjective.
Where does the word “oral” come from?
The word “oral” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin oralis, from os, "mouth," plus the adjective ending -alis.
Is “oral” a common word?
“Oral” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “oral” have?
“Oral” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the mouth.
What is the difference between "oral" and "aural"?
"Oral" and "aural" sound alike but mean different things: oral relates to the mouth or to spoken language, while aural relates to the ear or the sense of hearing. An oral exam is spoken aloud, whereas an aural exam tests listening.
What is the difference between "oral" and "verbal"?
"Oral" specifically means spoken rather than written, while "verbal" can refer to anything expressed in words, whether spoken or written. Saying "oral agreement" makes clear the agreement was spoken and not put on paper.
What are common phrases that use "oral"?
Frequent collocations include "oral exam," "oral history," "oral hygiene," "oral tradition," and "oral surgery." These draw on both senses of the word: relating to the mouth (oral hygiene) and relating to speech (oral history).
