Definition of oracle
1a : 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. Marksb : a shrine in which a deity reveals hidden knowledge or the divine purpose through such a personc : an answer or decision given by an oracle ambiguous oracles
2a : a person giving wise or authoritative decisions or opinions She became an oracle of pop culture.b : an authoritative or wise expression or answer
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Examples of oracle in a Sentence
I met her long before she had become the oracle of pop culture.
Recent Examples of oracle from the Web
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Beginning around the 16th century B.C., Chinese star-gazers attempted to read the skies and foretell natural events using oracle bones.
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After 17 years at the company, Reid has earned a reputation as a customer oracle with an uncanny ability to predict users' wants and needs, according to those who work for her.
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In his speech, Landrieu said city leaders can be oracles for the nation, bold truth-tellers in describing the effects of federal policies advanced by both parties.
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In multiple appearances, Brooks is most entertaining as Yogurt, a golden-skinned, pointy-eared oracle into product merchandising.
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Oracle's shares were up 11% in pre-market trading on Thursday.
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In the celebration that rocked Oracle late into the evening, Curry swayed with his daughter in his arms, exhorting the crowd to join in.
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Would the Yankees have believed the legend, had some oracle tried to inform them what was coming?
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Tóibín adds a few characters and intrigues, but the result, told with remarkable literary restraint, possesses the authority of an oracle etched into a clay tablet.
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 Defined for English Language Learners
oracle
playDefinition of oracle for English Language Learners
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in ancient Greece : a person (such as a priestess) through whom a god was believed to speak
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: the place (such as a shrine) where people went to ask questions of an oracle
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: an answer or message given by an oracle
ORACLE Defined for Kids
oracle
playDefinition 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
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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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