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.
Synthetic testosterone derivatives that can be taken orally are also now undergoing clinical trials. Kenneth H. Mayer, STAT, 27 Feb. 2026 Rather, Hawai’i’s collective wisdom was contained within chants, mythology, family lore, and ancient stories passed down orally from one generation to the next. Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026 The coroner also said the fentanyl was illicit and ingested orally. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026 Because it’s applied locally instead of ingested orally, there are fewer concerns about the nasty side effects some guys get from these medications. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 23 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

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Cite this Entry

“Orally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orally. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

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