oral

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an examination conducted by spoken communication
  2. adjective using speech rather than writing
  3. adjective of or relating to or affecting or for use in the mouth

Etymology

PIE word *h₁óh₃s Early 17th century borrowing from Late Latin ōrālis, from ōs (“the mouth”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix).

In classic literature

Synonyms

oral exam, oral examination, viva voce, viva

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