auricular

adjective

au·​ric·​u·​lar ȯ-ˈri-kyə-lər How to pronounce auricular (audio)
Synonyms of auricularnext
1
: told privately
an auricular confession
2
: understood or recognized by the sense of hearing
3
: of, relating to, or using the ear or the sense of hearing
auricular therapy
4
: of or relating to an auricle
auricular tachycardia

Examples of auricular in a Sentence

had auricular proof that the sun was up, as the birds began chirping
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It can be delivered using a device that sits on the ear and sends an electrical pulse to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, which is found under the skin in the magenta area in the diagram below. Paul McClure 22, New Atlas, 22 May 2025 While everyone has auricular muscles, only a small number of people can consciously flex these muscles to wiggle their ears. Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 27 Feb. 2025 Some people can control their auricular muscles to move the ear slightly but to a noticeable extent, an ability that seems to have a genetic basis. C. Claiborne Ray, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of auricular was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Auricular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auricular. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

auricular

adjective
au·​ric·​u·​lar ȯ-ˈrik-yə-lər How to pronounce auricular (audio)
1
: of or relating to the ear or the sense of hearing
2
: told privately
auricular confession
3
: learned or recognized through the sense of hearing
4
: of or relating to an auricle

Medical Definition

auricular

adjective
au·​ric·​u·​lar ȯ-ˈrik-yə-lər How to pronounce auricular (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or using the ear or the sense of hearing
2
: understood or recognized by the sense of hearing
3
: of or relating to an auricle or auricular appendage
auricular fibrillation
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