viva voce

[ vahy-vuh voh-see, vee-vuh ]

adverb

1. by word of mouth; orally.

noun

1. Also (in British and European universities) the oral part of an examination.

viva voce

/ ˈvaɪvə ˈvəʊtʃɪ /

adverb

1. by word of mouth

noun

1. the full form of viva 2

Other Words From

• viva-voce adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of viva voce¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Medieval Latin vīvā vōce “with living voice,” Latin, ablative of vīva vōx

Word History and Origins

Origin of viva voce¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, literally: with living voice

Example Sentences

Per the viva voce system, a practice with roots in Ancient Greece, eligible voters would call out the names of their preferred candidates to a government clerk, who registered votes in a pollbook.

From The New Yorker

In his last Facebook post, Krishnan referred to this new rule: “There is no equality in MPhil/PhD admission, there is no equality in viva voce – there is only denial of equality.”

From The Guardian

He wrote that students from marginalized groups, including Dalits and lower castes, faced discrimination in admissions to master’s and doctorate programs and in the oral exams, known as “viva voce,” that determine final grades.

From Los Angeles Times

Over all, Mrs. Clinton’s promotional ads did more to boost her own favorable ratings than these specialized attack ads, which makes them as effective as the viva voce attacks at influencing people.

From New York Times

The accompanying oral examination — also called a viva voce or defence — can be a public lecture, a private discussion or not happen at all.

From Nature