Etymology Map
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Oral

2 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means spoken; relating to the mouth

Where does the word "oral" come from? It comes from Late Latin oralis, adopted directly into English (1620s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
oralis
Late Latin · ancient
"of the mouth"
from 'os', mouth
2
Stage 2 of 2
oral
English · 1620s
"spoken"
'oral history' dates from the 1940s
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Read the full story

Oral’s story begins in Late Latin: oralis meant “of the mouth.” From 'os', mouth. It reached English by 1620s as oral. 'oral history' dates from the 1940s. Today, oral means spoken; relating to the mouth.