noun
Uncommon
oasis
oh-AY-sihs
Oasis (noun) means a fertile spot with water in the middle of a desert. Example: “The camel caravan rested at the oasis before continuing across the dunes.”
noun
1
A fertile spot with water in the middle of a desert.
"On the edge of the dunes lies the oasis town of Dunhuang, a key strategic crossroads on the Silk Road as the routes divided to the west to skirt the Taklamakan to the north and south."
— Michael Welland, Barriers and Corridors, Imports and Exports (2015)
"It was now a beautiful, moonlit night. The air was crisp and invigorating. Behind them lay the interminable vista of the desert, dotted here and there with an occasional oasis."
— , Through the Valley of the Shadow (1913)
"The camel caravan rested at the oasis before continuing across the dunes."
"Palm trees and a clear spring marked the small oasis in the empty sand."
"After three days of walking, the travellers wept with relief on reaching the oasis."
2
A calm, pleasant place or moment amid stress or chaos.
"The quiet library was an oasis in the middle of a hectic day."
"Her tiny garden was a peaceful oasis away from the noisy city."
"Lunch break is my oasis of calm in an otherwise frantic week."
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- oases, oasises
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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.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for oasis
See all rhymes for oasis →Frequently asked questions
What does “oasis” mean?
The word “oasis” means a fertile spot with water in the middle of a desert. In plain terms, a green, watered spot in a desert, or more generally, a peaceful break from a difficult or busy situation.
How do you pronounce “oasis”?
“Oasis” is pronounced oh-AY-sihs (/oʊˈeɪsɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “oasis” in a sentence?
Here is “oasis” used in a sentence: “The camel caravan rested at the oasis before continuing across the dunes.”
What part of speech is “oasis”?
“Oasis” is a noun.
Where does the word “oasis” come from?
The word “oasis” comes from Ancient Greek. From Late Latin oasis, from Ancient Greek oasis, ultimately from an Egyptian word for a fertile hollow.
Is “oasis” a common word?
“Oasis” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “oasis” have?
“Oasis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fertile spot with water in the middle of a desert.
What is the difference between an oasis and a mirage?
An oasis is a real, fertile spot with water found in the middle of a desert, supporting plants and life. A mirage, by contrast, is an optical illusion caused by heat and light, making something like water appear where none actually exists.
Can oasis be used figuratively?
Yes, oasis is often used to describe a calm, pleasant place or moment amid stress or chaos, such as 'the garden was an oasis in the busy city.' This figurative sense keeps the core idea of relief and refuge found in the literal desert meaning.
What makes a location an oasis rather than just a desert water source?
An oasis is specifically a fertile spot, meaning it supports vegetation and often human or animal life because of its water source, unlike a bare well or spring that lacks surrounding fertility. The fertility and life it sustains are what distinguish an oasis from a simple water point.
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