Oral-Verbal | Commonly Confused Words
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Oral vs. Verbal

Oral

/ˈɔːrəl/
Relating to the mouth, spoken words, or verbal communication

Examples:

Her oral presentation captivated the audience.The contract was based on an oral agreement.Oral history traditions enrich cultural heritage.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Verbal

/ˈvəːb(ə)l/
Using spoken or written words to communicate

Examples:

No one made any verbal response to the voice.Victor sighs, cutting off my verbal daydream.The invitation was refused, and by a verbal message.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Verbal and oral both relate to words, but their context of usage differs slightly.
  • Verbal can refer to both spoken and written words, while oral strictly relates to spoken communication.
  • A way to remember: oral has the same root as orator, who is someone who speaks.
  • In legal terms, verbal agreements can sometimes be written, while oral agreements are always spoken.
  • Use verbal when referring to anything word-related in general terms; use oral for spoken words only.
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