orally

adverb

oral·​ly ˈȯr-ə-lē How to pronounce orally (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since the latter is a version of semaglutide, which is typically given by injection, it’s been specially formulated to be taken orally. Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026 The medical examiner also determined the drug was illicit (as opposed to medical-grade) and ingested orally. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026 But part of the way stories were being passed down was orally, like natural storytelling around the campfire, with the community. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Mar. 2026 Synthetic testosterone derivatives that can be taken orally are also now undergoing clinical trials. Kenneth H. Mayer, STAT, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for orally

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of orally was in 1608

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Orally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orally. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster