spoken

adjective

spo·​ken ˈspō-kən 

1

: delivered by word of mouth : oral

2

: characterized by speaking in (such) a manner

—used in combination

soft-spoken

plainspoken

Synonyms of spoken

• oral
• verbal

Examples of spoken in a Sentence

a spoken agreement is too easily broken

a politician who knows the power of the spoken word

Recent Examples on the Web

On set, Lan worked scene by scene with the cast, adjusting lines written in Mandarin into the natural cadences of spoken Teochew. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 July 2026

While a one-second response lag is acceptable in text chat, that same pause feels awkward and disruptive in spoken conversation. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 27 July 2026

That resistance runs through the culture, especially in spoken words. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

This followed a common scholarly notion that Maya hieroglyphics were not tied to spoken language. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

past participle of speak

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spoken

• be spoken for
• fair-spoken
• free-spoken
• short-spoken
• softly-spoken
• soft-spoken
• well-spoken

Rhymes for spoken

• broken
• oaken
• token
• woken
• awoken
• betoken
• heartbroken
• outspoken
• unbroken
• unspoken

Kids Definition

spoken

adjective

spo·​ken ˈspō-kən 

1

: given by or using speech

a spoken message

the spoken language

2

: speaking in a specified manner

soft-spoken

plainspoken