What does "oral defamation" specifically refer to in legal terms?

"Oral defamation" specifically refers to spoken statements that harm someone's reputation. In legal terminology, this is commonly known as "slander," which is distinguished from "libel," the latter referring to written defamation. For oral defamation to be actionable, the statement must be false and expressed in a way that is harmful to the person's reputation. The key aspect is that the communication is spoken rather than written, underscoring the importance of the mode of expression in distinguishing between types of defamation.

The other definitions provided do not accurately match the legal definition of oral defamation. Written statements that harm someone's reputation characterize libel rather than slander. Public statements made with malice may relate to defamation but do not specifically denote that the statements are spoken. False accusations made in court pertain to perjury or false testimony, which are different legal concepts.