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
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
Example Sentences
I met her long before she had become the oracle of pop culture.
Recent Examples on the Web Srinivasan has latched onto his latest, possibly greatest identity: Covid oracle. Anthony Lydgate, WIRED, 6 Sep. 2022 Another day, a different year, the oracle might school her acolytes. Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 While oracle cards are used in a similar way—that is, as a tool of self-reflection—there are fewer rules. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 19 July 2022 What is the difference between tarot and oracle cards? Meghan Rose, Glamour, 19 July 2022 An oracle card deck can include any number of cards and meanings. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 19 July 2022 Presley will posthumously receive the fashion oracle award. Paul Grein, Billboard, 13 July 2022 It’s about a royal family who embark on an epic journey to save their kingdom from an oracle’s prophecy of doom. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2022 These cards—which go by many names, like divination, oracle, mindfulness, affirmation—make regular appearances in Dua’s life. Jen Wang, Vogue, 10 May 2022 See More
Anthony Lydgate, WIRED, 6 Sep. 2022 Another day, a different year, the oracle might school her acolytes. Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022 While oracle cards are used in a similar way—that is, as a tool of self-reflection—there are fewer rules. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 19 July 2022 What is the difference between tarot and oracle cards? Meghan Rose, Glamour, 19 July 2022 An oracle card deck can include any number of cards and meanings. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 19 July 2022 Presley will posthumously receive the fashion oracle award. Paul Grein, Billboard, 13 July 2022 It’s about a royal family who embark on an epic journey to save their kingdom from an oracle’s prophecy of doom. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2022 These cards—which go by many names, like divination, oracle, mindfulness, affirmation—make regular appearances in Dua’s life. Jen Wang, Vogue, 10 May 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
oracle
noun
or·a·cle ˈȯr-ə-kəl
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
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
oracles
noun
as in diviners
a person who can tell what will happen in the future The oracle told him to not make any major life decisions this month. Synonyms & Similar Words
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- diviners
- sibyls
- prophets
- mystics
- forecasters
- seers
- soothsayers
- prophetesses
- foretellers
- augurs
- prognosticators
- fortune-tellers
- futurists
- astrologers
- prophesiers
- palmists
- foreseers
- wisewomen
- Jeremiahs
- visionaries
- doomsdayers
- doomsayers
- crystal gazers
- Cassandras
- rhabdomancers