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单词 oral
释义
oral
(once / 1450 pages)
adjn

The word oral means having to do with the mouth or speaking. When you give an oral report in school, you stand in front of the class and talk.
Use the adjective oral to describe something that's spoken aloud, like an oral exam or an oral history passed between generations through bedtime stories. Oral is also good for referring to other things you do with your mouth — your dentist may drive you crazy talking about "oral hygiene," or keeping your teeth clean. The roots of the word oral go back to the Latin word for "mouth," which is os.
CHOOSE YOUR WORDS
aural / oral / verbal

Aural refers to the ear or hearing, and oral to the mouth or speaking. Something verbal is expressed in words, either spoken or written. Listen to the aural sensations of songs from outer space when you've been gassed for your oral surgery. Then stay non-verbal because you can't use words for a long time after the dentist wakes you up.

Aural is related to the sense of hearing:

While the songs may be familiar, the delivery is the aural version of having one's stocking stuffed. (technorati.com)

Audio teams capture far-flung aural impressions to set the proper movie mood (Dallas Morning News)

Our second word, oral, refers to something spoken (rather than written) or something related to the mouth:

The Long Island Storytelling Network will be telling tales at the library on Wednesday to help revive the oral tradition. (Storynet.org)

Oral cancer has always been a bigger threat to men than women. (Washington Post)

Now what about oral vs. verbal? They both relate to something expressed through words, but oral is spoken and verbal can be spoken or written. Oral and verbal are often used interchangeably — both describe spoken words after all. But they're not always interchangeable. If your little sister sticks everything in her mouth, she has an oral fixation. If she can recite the Constitution by age two, she's quite verbal. Consider these quotes from articles about college basketball:

K-State basketball gets oral commitment from 7-footer Diaz. (Wichita Eagle)

Gipson is Kansas State's second verbal commitment. (Fox Sports)

Using those definitions, Diaz told K-State he'd join the team. He didn't sign any paperwork. But Gipson could have signed on the dotted line, or he might have just spoken his commitment.

Remember: if it's related to the ear or hearing, you want aural. If it's related to something spoken or to the mouth, it's oral. And although verbal can mean spoken or written, oral can only mean spoken.  

WORD FAMILY
oral: orally, orals
USAGE EXAMPLES
She prescribed oral steroids in addition to a rescue inhaler to calm my overactive airways, which helped.
Washington Post(Dec 30, 2016)
The doctor may prescribe a steroid cream or, in severe cases, an oral immunosuppressant for the itch.
Washington Post(Dec 30, 2016)
Because the treatment would expose his oral structures — including the jawbone, salivary glands and teeth — to radiation, a dental evaluation was prompted.
Washington Post(Dec 29, 2016)
1adj using speech rather than writing
an oral tradition
an oral agreement
Syn
unwritten
spoken
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
2adj of or relating to or affecting or for use in the mouth
oral hygiene
an oral thermometer
an oral vaccine
3adj of or involving the mouth or mouth region or the surface on which the mouth is located
the oral cavity
the oral mucous membrane
the oral surface of a starfish
Syn|Ant
buccal
oriented toward the inside of the cheek
buccal
lying within the mouth
aboral
opposite to or away from the mouth
4adj a stage in psychosexual development when the child's interest is concentrated in the mouth; fixation at this stage is said to result in dependence, selfishness, and aggression
Ant
anal, anal retentive
a stage in psychosexual development when the child's interest is concentrated on the anal region; fixation at this stage is said to result in orderliness, meanness, stubbornness, compulsiveness, etc.
5n an examination conducted by spoken communication
Syn|Hyper
oral exam, oral examination, viva, viva voce
exam, examination, test
a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge
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更新时间:2025/3/23 14:48:43