Aural means relating to hearing or the sense of sound. When you close your eyes during a thunderstorm and focus on the rumble and crack of thunder, you're having an aural experience. Musicians develop strong aural skills by training their ears to recognize different notes, rhythms, and harmonies.

You might encounter it in school when teachers talk about aural comprehension, which means understanding something by listening rather than reading. Some people learn better through aural methods, like listening to audiobooks or lectures, while others prefer visual learning through reading or watching.

Be careful not to confuse aural with oral, which means relating to the mouth or speaking. When you give an oral report, you're speaking out loud. When you practice aural training in music class, you're listening carefully. The two words sound identical but have completely different meanings: one involves your ears, the other your mouth.