delphi

IPA/ˈdel.fi/
KK[dˈɛlfaɪ]IPA/ˈdel.faɪ/

delphi — noun

1. a town in ancient Greece, built on the south side of Mount Parnassus in the regi

1.nounB2
Definition

a town in ancient Greece, built on the south side of Mount Parnassus in the region of Phocis, now a major archaeological site

Example

Hana walked through the stone ruins of Delphi under the hot August sun.

Iker stared out the bus window as Delphi's stone ruins appeared on the mountainside ahead.

journey context: travelling to the archaeological site

Common collocations
  • ruins of Delphi
  • excavations at Delphi
  • ancient Delphi

Usage Note

Distinguish from SACRED SITE AND ORACLE (sense 2): this sense focuses on Delphi as a physical town and archaeological location rather than its religious function.

2. a holy place on Mount Parnassus in ancient Greece, famous for its oracle — a pri

2.nounB2
Definition

a holy place on Mount Parnassus in ancient Greece, famous for its oracle — a priestess through whom the god Apollo was said to speak, answering questions from visitors across the Greek world

Example

Kofi's grandfather told him stories about the famous oracle at Delphi.

Walid learned that King Croesus sent envoys to Delphi to ask the oracle whether to invade Persia.

historical usage: rulers consulted the oracle before major decisions

Common collocations
  • Oracle of Delphi
  • consult the oracle at Delphi
  • priestess at Delphi
  • temple at Delphi

Usage Note

Distinguish from ANCIENT TOWN (sense 1): this sense highlights Delphi's role as a religious centre and the seat of the oracle, not the town as a physical settlement.

Common Mistakes

The king visited a delphi to hear his future.
The king visited the oracle at Delphi to hear his future.
Delphi is the name of a specific place, not a general word for an oracle.

Word family

  • Delphic
    adjectiveC1
  • Delphian
    adjectiveC2

Common collocations

Phrases

  • ancient Delphi

Prepositions

  • at Delphi
  • in Delphi
  • to Delphi
  • of Delphi

Etymology

Pre-GreekAncient GreekLatinEnglish

The name Delphi comes from the Ancient Greek word Δελφοί (Delphoi). One traditional account links it to δελφύς (delphys), meaning 'womb,' which may reflect the valley's bowl-like shape or the worship of the earth goddess Gaia at the site before Apollo's cult took hold there. The name passed through Latin (Delphi) into English.