oracle

noun

or·a·cle | \ ˈȯr-ə-kəl,

ˈär-\

Definition of oracle

(Entry 1 of 2)

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. 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

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

Oracle

geographical name

Or·a·cle | \ ˈȯr-ə-kəl,

ˈär-\

Definition of Oracle (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Examples of oracle in a Sentence

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

For some, that shift presents as a palpable swing away from youthful optimism and toward the cynical, jaded, world-weary determination of an aged oracle with a thousand-yard-stare. — Aja Romano, Vox, "The memes of the 2018 midterm elections reflect a feeling of urgency and determination," 6 Nov. 2018 On its eastern edge are the Sibillini Mountains, named for the Appenine Sibyl—a legendary oracle who lived in a cave there and dispensed prophecies to medieval travelers. — Ken Jennings, Condé Nast Traveler, "This Italian Pine Forest Is Shaped Exactly Like...Italy," 1 Oct. 2018 Biblical predictions have the ambiguity of the oracle. — Rabbi David Wolpe, Time, "Why We Shouldn't Be So Sure of Our Predictions About the Future," 20 Apr. 2018 The Fed’s extraordinary policies in the past decade distorted capital markets and arguably accommodated poor fiscal-policy decisions by oracles in the White House and Congress. — WSJ, "Was the Phillips Curve Ever a Reliable Tool?," 9 May 2018 Head Over Heels The Curran presents a musical romp featuring the music of the Go-Go’s about a royal famliy that must prevent an oracle’s prophecy of doom. — Chronicle Staff Report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Theater capsule reviews and listings, week of April 22," 19 Apr. 2018 Actress and writer Amber Tamblyn looked like an oracle late last year. — Stephanie Merry, chicagotribune.com, "Amber Tamblyn's novel about sexual assault will upset some people. She's OK with that.," 26 June 2018 Related His exit marks a stunning turn of events for a man who had become one of the oracles of the advertising business. — Suzanne Vranica, WSJ, "WPP Chief Executive Martin Sorrell, Contending With Probe, Decided to Resign," 15 Apr. 2018 The play, which begins previews at Broadway’s Hudson Theater on June 23, sets the group’s music to an Elizabethan tale about an oracle’s four prophecies that spell doom for the kingdom of Arcadia. — Melinda Newman, Billboard, "The Go-Go's on Heading to Broadway With 'Head Over Heels,' Their Legacy & Inviting Mike Pence to the Play," 27 Apr. 2018

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.