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

That experience in the mid-1990s sent the soft-spoken Rousseau, who had spent his career in public policy, on a quest to review the county’s education system and political power structure. — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Refactoring evergreen policy updates and executive profiles into short spoken audio feeds taps into passive commuting or exercise windows, dramatically expanding consumption reach. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

While Manson’s final spoken words before his death are unknown, the cult killer participated in interviews with author and television producer James Buddy Day throughout the last year of his life. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

And while Hasidic dialects are by far the most spoken among modern Yiddish speakers, opportunities to learn the Hasidic dialect from native speakers like Malowicki are relatively rare. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 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