These words relate to various forms of utterance. In strict usage, verbal refers to the actual words used, and does not exclude the possibility of a written communication: a verbal dispute; verbal translations from the Greek; he gave his verbal consent to the proposals.

Oral and spoken mean uttered or communicated by mouth: an oral examination in defence of one’s Ph.D. thesis; the oral tradition of epic poetry; a spoken account of his adventure. The distinction between these two words and verbal is often blurred by a tendency to confuse a written (or printed) communication with one that is only spoken . Verbal , in short, can mean oral or spoken , but is simply less precise when so used: verbal testimony.

Vocal retains its original and primary meaning of voice, and means having or being endowed with the power of utterance: vocal cords; vocal music; vocal creatures. As such it refers to anything from meaningful speech to a confused murmuring or shouting.

• He was very vocal in his objections; The crowd was vocal in its welcome of the homecoming Olympic team.