Sapling Logo

“Aural” or “Oral”

aural / oral are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

Get Sapling See examples
Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

aural AO·r·ah·l

  • adjectiveof or pertaining to hearing or the ear.
  • adjectiverelating to or characterized by an aura.

oral AO·r·ah·l

  • nounan examination conducted by spoken communication.
  • adjectiveusing speech rather than writing.
  • adjectiveof or relating to or affecting or for use in the mouth.
  • adjectiveof or involving the mouth or mouth region or the surface on which the mouth is located.
  • adjectivea 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.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“aural”

  • …hearing aids, cochlear implants, and aural rehabilitation.
  • I always found this aural illusion fascinating."
  • …tracks of prime New Christs aural mayhem."

“oral”

  • …literature supported Freud's concepts of oral and anal personality constellations, his…
  • Anilingus – oral stimulation of the anus or
  • Oral histories of the Koni
  • …dollars to 'french' him (perform oral sex).
  • …starting around the year 1900, oral histories of the Koni and…
  • …time, most data comes from oral histories as opposed to archaeological
  • …11) This is not true, Oral explanations are only referenced on…
  • Fellatio – oral stimulation of a male's penis.
  • Oral history interview with Stephen Crocker,…
  • Oral sex – stimulation of the…

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

Too much to remember?

Looking for a tool that handles this for you wherever you write?

Install Sapling Try the grammar checker