Aural vs. Oral — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 3, 2023
Aural pertains to the ear or sense of hearing, while Oral relates to the mouth or spoken expression.
Difference Between Aural and Oral
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Aural and Oral might sound similar, but they address different human faculties. Aural is concerned with the ears and the sense of hearing. On the other hand, Oral involves the mouth, especially in the context of speech or verbal communication.
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In daily interactions, when someone talks about Aural skills, they're referencing abilities associated with hearing. Meanwhile, Oral skills generally revolve around speaking abilities, articulation, or matters directly linked with the mouth.
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From a medical perspective, Aural checks or treatments involve the ears, such as tests for hearing. Conversely, Oral examinations or treatments involve the mouth, teeth, gums, and related areas.
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In the realm of education, students might engage in Aural comprehension exercises where they listen and understand spoken content. In contrast, Oral presentations or assessments focus on students conveying information verbally.
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Lastly, when you hear music or sounds, you're having an Aural experience. When you engage in a conversation, express ideas, or use your mouth for any activity, that's an Oral experience.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Pertains to the ear or hearing
Relates to the mouth or speech
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Body Part
Ear
Mouth
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Related Activities
Listening, hearing
Speaking, articulating
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Common Context
Audio, music
Conversation, presentation
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Etymology
Latin "auris" (ear)
Latin "os" (mouth)
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Compare with Definitions
Aural
Concerned with listening.
Aural skills are vital for musicians.
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Oral
Related to speaking.
His Oral presentation skills were commendable.
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Aural
Of or about sound perception.
The movie had a rich Aural landscape.
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Oral
Delivered by word of mouth.
Ancient tales were often passed down through Oral traditions.
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Aural
Pertaining to hearing.
She had a keen Aural sensitivity to musical tones.
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Oral
Pertaining to the mouth.
She maintained excellent Oral hygiene.
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Aural
Related to the ear.
His Aural health was excellent, with no hearing issues.
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Oral
Involving verbal communication.
The teacher assessed the students' Oral proficiency.
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Aural
Connected with audio experiences.
The podcast offered a unique Aural journey.
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Oral
Spoken rather than written; verbal
They had reached an oral agreement
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Aural
Relating to the ear or the sense of hearing
Information held in written, aural, or visual form
Aural anatomy
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Oral
Relating to the mouth
Oral hygiene
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Aural
Of, relating to, or perceived by the ear.
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Oral
A spoken examination or test
A French oral
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Aural
Characterized by or relating to an aura.
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Oral
Spoken rather than written.
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Aural
Of or pertaining to the ear.
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Oral
Of or relating to the mouth
Oral surgery.
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Aural
Of or pertaining to sound.
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Oral
Used in or taken through the mouth
An oral thermometer.
An oral vaccine.
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Aural
Of or pertaining to an aura.
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Oral
Consisting of or using speech
Oral instruction.
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Aural
Of or pertaining to the air, or to an aura.
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Oral
(Linguistics) Articulated through the mouth only, with the nasal passages closed.
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Aural
Of or pertaining to the ear; as, aural medicine and surgery.
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Oral
Often orals An academic examination in which questions and answers are spoken rather than written.
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Aural
Of or pertaining to hearing or the ear;
An animal with a very sensitive aural apparatus
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Oral
(pharmacology) Done or taken by the mouth.
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Aural
Relating to or characterized by an aura;
Various aural effects that precede a migraine headache
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Oral
Pronounced by the voice resonating in the mouth, as the vowels in English.
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Oral
Of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits of passive dependency and aggressiveness.
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Oral
(relational) Spoken rather than written.
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Oral
Relating to the transmission of information or literature by word of mouth.
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Oral
Using speech or the lips especially in teaching the deaf.
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Oral
Not having reached the stage of literacy.
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Oral
(countable) A spoken test or examination, particularly in a language class.
We've got our Spanish oral tomorrow.
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Oral
A physical examination of the mouth.
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Oral
Uttered by the mouth, or in words; spoken, not written; verbal; as, oral traditions; oral testimony; oral law.
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Oral
Of or pertaining to the mouth; surrounding or lining the mouth; as, the oral cavity; oral cilia or cirri.
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Oral
An examination conducted by word of mouth
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Oral
Using speech rather than writing;
An oral tradition
An oral agreement
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Oral
Of or relating to or affecting or for use in the mouth;
Oral hygiene
An oral thermometer
An oral vaccine
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Oral
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
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Common Curiosities
Is an Oral test always spoken?
Yes, an Oral test involves speaking and verbal responses.
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Are there Oral traditions in cultures?
Yes, many cultures have stories and knowledge passed down verbally, known as Oral traditions.
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Can music be considered an Aural experience?
Absolutely, listening to music involves Aural perception.
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Does Aural always relate to hearing?
Yes, Aural primarily pertains to the ears or sense of hearing.
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Which body parts are associated with Aural and Oral?
Aural is associated with the ear, while Oral is linked to the mouth.
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Can Oral also mean taken through the mouth, like medicine?
Yes, medicines taken through the mouth are termed as Oral medications.
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What's an example of an Oral activity?
Speaking, singing, or any activity using the mouth and voice.
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How can I remember the difference between Aural and Oral?
Think of Aural as "audio" (hearing) and Oral as "oration" (speaking).
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Are Aural and Oral pronounced the same?
They sound similar, but have distinct pronunciations and meanings.
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Is Aural learning about listening?
Yes, Aural learners prefer to hear information to understand and learn.
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Which word is more related to sound: Aural or Oral?
Aural, as it pertains to hearing and sound perception.
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Can Oral also refer to dental matters?
Yes, matters concerning teeth and gums are also considered Oral topics.
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Does an Aural examination involve the ears?
Yes, it's a check-up related to hearing or ear health.
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Do audiologists deal with Aural matters?
Yes, audiologists specialize in Aural health and hearing.
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Is an Oral agreement legally binding?
While Oral agreements can be legally binding, they're harder to prove than written contracts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
