Meaning & use
vocal words
Last updated
Meanings
phraseplural
Words that are spoken aloud rather than written or read silently.
Grammar: Always plural; used as a noun phrase. You can say 'a vocal word' but it is rare.
Patterns
- use vocal words
- vocal words and written words
- learn vocal words
In language class, we practice vocal words by repeating them after the teacher.
Children learn vocal words before they learn to read.
The study compared vocal words with written words in memory tests.
phraseplural
Words that are expressed by speaking, especially in contrast to silent reading or inner speech.
Grammar: Often used in academic contexts about speech production.
Patterns
- produce vocal words
- vocal words versus silent reading
The brain processes vocal words differently from written words.
When you speak, you produce vocal words that others can hear.
Common combinations
- practice vocal words
- We practice vocal words every morning in English class.
- learn vocal words
- Babies learn vocal words by listening to their parents.
- vocal words and written words
- The test had both vocal words and written words.
- produce vocal words
- Speakers produce vocal words by moving their lips and tongue.
Synonyms and how they differ
- spoken words
- More common and natural in everyday English; 'vocal words' is more technical.
- oral words
- Formal and often used in academic writing; it means words that are spoken.
Opposites
Commonly confused: vocal words or vocabulary?
vocal words vs vocabulary
This means all the words you know, not specifically words that are spoken aloud.
Practice
What does 'vocal words' mean?
Choose one answer.
'Vocal words' refers to words that are spoken, not written. Option 1 is the opposite. Option 3 is about difficulty, not speech. Option 4 is about singing, which is not the same as speaking.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “vocal words”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.