'aureal' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'aureus', where 'aur-' meant 'gold'.

'aureal' developed as an English adjective influenced by Latin 'aureus' (meaning 'golden'); additionally, orthographic and phonetic overlap with 'aural' (from Latin 'auris', 'ear') has contributed to senses and usage in modern English.

Initially associated primarily with 'golden' (from 'aureus'), the form has also been used (by analogy or confusion with 'aural') to mean 'relating to hearing'; both senses are now attested, though the 'golden' sense is etymologically primary.