noun
oasis
oh-AY-sihs
noun
1
A fertile spot with water in the middle of a desert.
"The camel caravan rested at the oasis before continuing across the dunes."
2
A calm, pleasant place or moment amid stress or chaos.
"The quiet library was an oasis in the middle of a hectic day."
How to Use Oasis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA green, watered spot in a desert, or more generally, a peaceful break from a difficult or busy situation.
Common pairings
desert oasis
oasis of calm
Word Forms
oases plural, oasises plural
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The camel caravan rested at the _____ before continuing across the dunes.
Etymology
From Late Latin oasis, from Ancient Greek oasis, ultimately from an Egyptian word for a fertile hollow.