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

The song — included on his new album Chuck Timely & the Hourglass— features the pair exchanging flirty lines in a spoken bridge. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

In his work, Schmidt lets images, sounds, music and moods do the talking, while spoken words are rarely necessary. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

The measure adds new grounds to Argentina’s immigration law, allowing authorities to bar, deport and revoke visas of people found to have promoted hatred against Argentines in spoken or written statements or who have desecrated national symbols. — Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

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

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