/ ˈspəʊkən; NAmE ˈspoʊ-/
1.
pp of speak
2.
-spoken (in adjectives) speaking in the way mentioned :
a quietly spoken man
—see also outspoken
••
SYNONYMS
spoken
oral ♦ vocal
These words all describe producing language using the voice, rather than writing.
spoken
(of language) produced using the voice; said rather than written:
an exam in spoken English
oral
[usually before noun] spoken rather than written:
There will be a test of both oral and written French.
spoken or oral?
Both of these words can be used to refer to language skills and the communication of information:
spoken / oral French
•
a spoken / oral presentation
. In these cases oral is slightly more technical than spoken . Oral but not spoken can also be used with words such as tradition , culture and legends to talk about the way in which people pass stories down from one generation to the next, and in legal contexts followed by words such as evidence and hearing .
vocal
[usually before noun] connected with the voice:
vocal music
•
the vocal organs (= the tongue, lips, etc.)
NOTE
Vocal is used to talk about the ability to produce sounds using the voice, and is often used in musical contexts when referring to singing.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
spoken / oral French/English/Japanese, etc.
spoken / oral language skills
a(n) spoken / oral presentation / report