auditory
Definitions
Relating to the sense of hearing or to the organs and processing of hearing
听觉的，与听觉（器官或加工）有关的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedaudit (heard) + -ory (relating to) = 'relating to hearing.' It is the technical adjective covering the biology and perception of hearing: the auditory nerve carries sound signals, the auditory cortex processes them, an auditory learner takes in information by ear. Pair it with visual to place it on the 'hearing' side of the senses.
Root audit still carries 7 more wordsUsage Guide
- A technical/medical adjective, not used casually. Common pairings: auditory nerve, auditory cortex, auditory processing, auditory hallucination.
- Contrast with aural (more general, 'through the ear,' e.g. aural skills in music) and beware of the look-alike oral (mouth).
- Pairs naturally with visual when discussing the senses.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Loud machinery can cause permanent auditory damage.
- 2.
Some children rely more on auditory than visual learning.
- 3.
The auditory nerve sends signals from the ear to the brain.
Easily Confused
auditory vs aural vs oral — auditory is the technical term for hearing as a system (auditory nerve, auditory processing). aural is broader, 'received through the ear' (aural comprehension). oral looks similar but means 'of the mouth' (oral exam, oral hygiene). Hearing → auditory/aural; speaking/mouth → oral.