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oracle

noun or·a·cle \ ˈȯr-ə-kəl , ˈär- \
|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Definition of oracle

1 a : a person (such as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak
  • the prophecies of the Delphic oracle
  • —D. F. Marks
b : a shrine in which a deity reveals hidden knowledge or the divine purpose through such a person
c : an answer or decision given by an oracle
  • ambiguous oracles
2 a : a person giving wise or authoritative decisions or opinions
  • She became an oracle of pop culture.
b : an authoritative or wise expression or answer

See oracle defined for English-language learners

See oracle defined for kids

Examples of oracle in a Sentence

  1. I met her long before she had become the oracle of pop culture.

Recent Examples of oracle from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oracle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of oracle

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin oraculum, from orare to speak — more at oration

Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms

Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra

Oracle

geographical name Or·a·cle \ ˈȯr-ə-kəl , ˈär- \

Definition of Oracle

unincorporated settlement north-northeast of Tucson in southern Arizona population 3686; site of a biome research facility

ORACLE Defined for English Language Learners

oracle

noun

Definition of oracle for English Language Learners

  • in ancient Greece : a person (such as a priestess) through whom a god was believed to speak

  • : the place (such as a shrine) where people went to ask questions of an oracle

  • : an answer or message given by an oracle

ORACLE Defined for Kids

oracle

noun or·a·cle \ ˈȯr-ə-kəl \

Definition of oracle for Students

1 : a person (as a priestess in ancient Greece) through whom a god is believed to speak
2 : the place where a god speaks through a person
3 : an answer given by a person through whom a god speaks

Learn More about oracle

  1. See words that rhyme with oracle Spanish Central: Translation of oracle Nglish: Translation of oracle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of oracle for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oracle

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