noun
Uncommon
oracle
AW-ruh-kuhl
Oracle (noun) means In ancient religion, a shrine or priest through whom a god was believed to answer questions or give prophecy — or the prophecy itself. Example: “The ancient Greeks traveled to Delphi to consult the oracle.”
noun
1
In ancient religion, a shrine or priest through whom a god was believed to answer questions or give prophecy — or the prophecy itself.
"The ancient Greeks traveled to Delphi to consult the oracle."
"Kings sent messengers to the oracle before deciding whether to go to war."
"The oracle's answer was so vague that people argued about it for years."
2
A person regarded as an especially wise or authoritative source of guidance.
"Colleagues treated her as the office oracle whenever a tricky decision came up."
"My uncle is the family oracle on anything to do with cars."
"Young gardeners often treat the old man next door as an oracle."
How to use oracle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOriginally a divine source of prophecy; today, also used for a person or source seen as wise and reliable.
Common pairings
consult the oracle
seen as an oracle
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Word forms
- Plural
- oracles
- Third person singular
- oracles
- Past tense
- oracled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ancient Greeks traveled to Delphi to consult the _____.
Etymology
From Old French oracle, from Latin oraculum, related to orare, "to speak, pray."
Synonyms
View more →
ariolater
Chaldean
clairvoyant
divinator
diviner
duckerer
foreteller
fortuneteller
precog
precognitive
predictor
prognosticator
Related words
Rhymes for oracle
See all rhymes for oracle →Frequently asked questions
What does “oracle” mean?
The word “oracle” means in ancient religion, a shrine or priest through whom a god was believed to answer questions or give prophecy — or the prophecy itself. In plain terms, originally a divine source of prophecy; today, also used for a person or source seen as wise and reliable.
How do you pronounce “oracle”?
“Oracle” is pronounced AW-ruh-kuhl (/ˈɔɹəkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “oracle” in a sentence?
Here is “oracle” used in a sentence: “The ancient Greeks traveled to Delphi to consult the oracle.”
What is another word for “oracle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “oracle” include ariolater, Chaldean, clairvoyant, divinator, diviner and duckerer.
What part of speech is “oracle”?
“Oracle” is a noun.
Where does the word “oracle” come from?
The word “oracle” comes from Latin. From Old French oracle, from Latin oraculum, related to orare, "to speak, pray.".
Is “oracle” a common word?
“Oracle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “oracle” have?
“Oracle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in ancient religion, a shrine or priest through whom a god was believed to answer questions or give prophecy — or the prophecy itself.
What is the difference between an oracle and a prophet?
An oracle, in ancient religion, was a shrine or priest through whom a god was believed to answer questions or give prophecy, or the prophecy itself; it is closely tied to a fixed sacred place, such as the Oracle of Delphi. A prophet is a person who delivers divine messages or predictions but is not necessarily attached to a specific shrine or site.
Can oracle be used to describe a person today?
Yes, oracle is commonly used today to describe a person regarded as an especially wise or authoritative source of guidance, even without any religious context, as in "she is considered an oracle on market trends." This modern sense extends from the ancient meaning of a divine source of answers.
What is the difference between an oracle and a seer?
An oracle traditionally refers to a shrine, priest, or the prophecy delivered through them, tied to a specific sacred site, while a seer is an individual believed to have personal powers of foresight, without needing any shrine or institution. A seer's insight is personal, whereas an oracle's authority often comes from the deity or institution behind it.
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