spoken
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for spoken, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Said out loud rather than written.
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
How to use spoken
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
The past participle of "speak," formed with the old "-en" ending also seen in "broken" and "woken."
Full origin of spoken →Frequently asked questions
What does “spoken” mean?
The word “spoken” means said out loud rather than written. In plain terms, relating to speech, or describing how someone talks.
How do you pronounce “spoken”?
“Spoken” is pronounced SPOH-kn (/ˈspoʊ.kən/ in IPA).
How do you use “spoken” in a sentence?
Here is “spoken” used in a sentence: “The spoken word carries an emotion that text often misses.”
What is another word for “spoken”?
Words with a similar meaning to “spoken” include oral and verbal.
What is the opposite of “spoken”?
The opposite of “spoken” — its antonyms — is unspoken.
What part of speech is “spoken”?
“Spoken” is an adjective.
Is “spoken” a common word?
“Spoken” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spoken” have?
“Spoken” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: said out loud rather than written.
What is the difference between spoken and written language?
Spoken language is produced with the voice and heard in real time, often informal, with tone, pauses, and body language adding meaning. Written language is recorded in text, tends to be more structured and permanent, and must convey everything through words and punctuation alone. Many people speak more casually than they write.
Is 'spoken' the past participle of 'speak'?
Yes. Speak is irregular: its simple past is 'spoke' and its past participle is 'spoken,' as in 'she has spoken.' The same form also works as an adjective meaning said aloud, as in 'spoken English' or 'the spoken word,' describing language delivered by voice rather than in writing.
What is an example of the spoken word?
Conversations, phone calls, speeches, podcasts, and voice messages are all examples of the spoken word, meaning language delivered by voice rather than text. The phrase 'spoken word' also names a performance style of poetry recited aloud, where rhythm and delivery matter as much as the words themselves.