As a Noun: 1. A deaf person who has been educated without the benefit of sign language and who has been taught using a method which encourages the use of speech alone. 2. A deaf person who can use speech quite well and who probably does not use sign language. 3. The technique of decoding the sounds of a spoken language by watching the lips. English = lip reading, speech reading. 4. An educational method for the deaf which focuses on teaching lip reading and articulation, often to the exclusion of sign language. English = oralism. As a Verb or Adjective: 1. To understand what someone is saying by watching their lips and without being able to hear them. English = lip read. 2. To relate to oralism. English = (be) oral.