oral
adj. · n.-
1 spoken (adj.) B1 Intermediatespoken rather than written.
relating to or expressed in spoken words rather than written text.
ExampleThe local people have a strong oral tradition of storytelling.
ExampleThe historian relied on oral testimonies from survivors to reconstruct the events of the mid-century migration.
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2 relating to the mouth (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Medicinerelating to the mouth or used in the mouth.
relating to, affecting, or for use in the mouth.
ExampleGood oral health is important for your overall well-being.
ExampleThe patient was prescribed an oral antibiotic to be taken twice daily after meals for the duration of the week.
UsageOften used in medical contexts like 'oral hygiene' or 'oral medication'.
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3 spoken exam (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea spoken test or examination, especially in a language class.
an examination conducted by spoken communication rather than in writing.
ExampleI passed the written part of the French test, but I am nervous about the oral.
ExampleCandidates are required to demonstrate their fluency during a twenty-minute oral conducted by a panel of native speakers.
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4 sexual activity (n.) C1 Advanced Informal Slang Vulgara common way to refer to oral sex.
an informal ellipsis for oral sex.
ExampleThe book discusses how young adults view oral in modern relationships.
ExampleThe survey results indicated a shift in how teenagers categorise oral compared to penetrative intercourse.
PIE word *h₁óh₃s Early 17th century borrowing from Late Latin ōrālis, from ōs (“the mouth”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix).