oracle

noun

or·​a·​cle ˈȯr-ə-kəl 

ˈär-

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

Examples of oracle in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

To ask for advice is to reach for a person whose vision exceeds yours, for reasons supernatural (oracles, mediums), professional (doctors, lawyers), or pastoral (parents, friends). —Merve Emre, New Yorker, 16 June 2025

When conditions are met (e.g., delivery confirmed via oracle or IoT sensor), payment flows instantly. —Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025

On Sunday, the Omaha oracle pointed UCLA’s way, the Bruins inching one step closer to advancing to the College World Series. —Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025

In the search for the all-purpose machine, the oracle to understand the things that people cannot yet comprehend, there’s no getting around the need for data. —Quanta Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for oracle

• ahistorical
• allegorical
• metaphorical
• oratorical
• unhistorical
• historical
• rhetorical
• sociohistorical

Kids Definition

oracle

noun

or·​a·​cle ˈȯr-ə-kəl 

ˈär-

1

: a person (as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a god is believed to speak

2

: the place where a god speaks through an oracle

3

: an answer given by an oracle

4

: a person giving wise or final decisions or advice

Etymology

Middle English oracle "a person through whom a god speaks," from early French oracle (same meaning), from Latin oraculum (same meaning), from orare "to speak, pray" — related to adore, oration

Geographical Definition

Oracle

geographical name

Or·​a·​cle ˈȯr-ə-kəl 

ˈär-

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