orally

adverb

oral·​ly ˈȯr-ə-lē 

ˈär-

1

: in spoken words : by means of speech

The exam will be given orally.

an orally presented argument

Deaf, signing parents will "babble" to their infants in sign, just as hearing parents do orally; this is how the child learns language …

—Oliver Sacks

2

: by way of the mouth

The medicine can be administered orally.

Another example is amygdalin, which is found in the pits of peaches and apricots. If consumed orally, it is approximately 40 times more toxic than by intravenous injection …

—Des W. Connell

Examples of orally in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The reason for this, The New York Times explains, is that less of the medication is absorbed orally versus when it’s injected. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

Speeds Up Skin Healing Vitamin C is also sometimes used orally (by mouth) or topically (applied to the skin) for skin healing. —Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 23 Dec. 2025

This version circulated orally for decades, which explains the widespread belief in its anonymity. —Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 12 Dec. 2025

Taking estrogen orally, as pills or tablets, carries a higher risk of blood clots. —Genevieve Hofmann, The Conversation, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for orally

• aurally
• morally
• contributorily
• obligatorily
• discriminatorily
• mandatorily
• statutorily