oracle

/ˈɒrəkl/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɔrəkəl] /ˈɔːrəkl/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈɔrəkəl] /ˈȯr-ə-kəl ˈär-/ (ame, mw)

oracle — noun

  • oraclesingular
  • oraclesplural

1. In ancient Greece and some other early cultures, a holy man or woman chosen by a

1.名詞B2
釋義

In ancient Greece and some other early cultures, a holy man or woman chosen by a god to deliver a divine message; the temple site where people travelled to receive such guidance about their future; or the puzzling answer or warning that the god communicated.

例句

Nikhil travelled to Delphi to consult the oracle about his war plans.

consult the oracle

The oracle's reply to the king was so unclear that nobody agreed on its meaning.

oracle's reply

同義詞
  • prophet

    a person chosen by God to deliver a message; more common in religious (especially biblical) contexts than the Greco-Roman oracle

  • seer

    someone who can see into the future; less tied to a specific place or ritual

  • sibyl

    specifically a female prophet in ancient Greece or Rome; less widely known than 'oracle'

文法句型

the oracle

oracle of [place]

用法筆記

Often used with the name of a specific place: the oracle of Delphi, the oracle at Dodona. The person who delivered the prophecy was also called an oracle, not just the place.

常見錯誤

❌The oracle told him he would win, but he lost.
✅According to the oracle, he would win, but he lost.
💡In historical usage, the oracle is the person through whom the god speaks; 'told' is acceptable in casual contexts but 'according to' is more accurate when referring to the prophecy itself.

2. A person, book, website, or organization that is treated as an extremely reliabl

2.名詞C1
釋義

A person, book, website, or organization that is treated as an extremely reliable source of wise advice, expert knowledge, or authoritative opinion on a particular subject.

例句

My grandmother was the family oracle on matters of health and traditional cooking.

family oracle

Gabriela's blog became something of an oracle for young photographers looking for career advice.

became an oracle for

同義詞
  • authority

    more neutral and formal; an expert whose opinion is widely accepted without the mystical overtones of 'oracle'

  • expert

    more general; anyone with deep knowledge, not necessarily treated as infallible

  • guru

    informal, with spiritual or self-help associations; similar in suggesting devoted followers

反義詞
  • novice

    someone who is new to a field and lacks expert knowledge

文法句型

oracle of [subject]

[possessive] oracle

an oracle on [topic]

用法筆記

Often used humorously or with mild exaggeration. Common in phrases like 'family oracle,' 'walking oracle,' or 'oracle on all things [subject].' Frequently followed by 'on' to specify the field of expertise.

常見錯誤

❌She is an oracle in fashion.
✅She is an oracle on fashion.
💡The correct preposition after 'oracle' in this sense is 'on', not 'in'.