spoken

1 of 2

adjective

spo·​ken ˈspō-kən How to pronounce spoken (audio)
Synonyms of spokennext
1
: delivered by word of mouth : oral
2
: characterized by speaking in (such) a manner
—used in combination
soft-spoken
plainspoken

spoken

2 of 2

past participle of speak

Synonyms of spoken

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Adjective

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Examples of spoken in a Sentence

Adjective a spoken agreement is too easily broken a politician who knows the power of the spoken word
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
For the handful of Deaf linguists who attend the event, that definition extends beyond spoken language. — New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026 The model normally converts a user’s spoken instructions into a sequence of actions that the robot can execute. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026 Holmes, with her wide eyes and soft-spoken voice seems like the polar opposite of Evans’s brash, unapologetic monument to masculinity. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026 The two previously worked together on five albums featuring autobiographical lyrics and spoken-word performances. — Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spoken

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

past participle of speak

First Known Use

Adjective

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spoken was in 1560

Phrases Containing spoken

Rhymes for spoken

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Browse Nearby Words

spokeless
spoken
spokeshave
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Cite this Entry

“Spoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spoken. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spoken

adjective
spo·​ken ˈspō-kən How to pronounce spoken (audio)
1
: given by or using speech
a spoken message
the spoken language
2
: speaking in a specified manner
soft-spoken
plainspoken
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