oracle

IPA/ˈɒrəkl/
KK[ˈɔrəkəl]IPA/ˈɔːrəkl/

oracle — noun

  • oraclesingular
  • oraclesplural

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

1.nounB2
Definition

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.

Example

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

Common collocations
  • consult the oracle
  • oracle of Delphi
  • oracle at Delphi
  • oracle's prophecy
  • the oracle spoke
  • ask the oracle
  • the oracle foretold
Synonyms
  • 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'

Grammar Patterns

the oracle

oracle of [place]

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

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.nounC1
Definition

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.

Example

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

Common collocations
  • family oracle
  • walking oracle
  • oracle on
  • personal oracle
  • financial oracle
  • office oracle
  • trusted oracle
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms
  • novice

    someone who is new to a field and lacks expert knowledge

Grammar Patterns

oracle of [subject]

[possessive] oracle

an oracle on [topic]

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

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

Word family

  • oracular
    adjectiveC2
  • oracularly
    adverbC2
  • orate
    verbC2
  • oration
    nounC1
  • orator
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe someone with deep knowledge, but they differ in tone and scope. An oracle is the most mystical and exaggerated — it suggests near-infallible wisdom and is often used humorously ('the family oracle on cooking'). An authority is more formal and neutral, often backed by institutional credentials ('a leading authority on climate science'). An expert is the most straightforward and widely used, covering anyone from a mechanic to a brain surgeon without extra emotional weight. A guru has spiritual or self-help associations ('a marketing guru', 'a yoga guru'), suggesting devoted followers rather than formal qualifications. A pundit is specifically a talking-head commentator in media ('political pundits on cable news'), often with a slightly dismissive tone. In daily use, 'expert' is safest; 'oracle' and 'guru' add colour but can sound exaggerated in formal writing.

authority ↗expert ↗guru ↗pundit

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • oracularly

Phrases

  • consult the oracle
  • the oracle speaks
  • oracle of Delphi

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'oracle' comes from Latin 'ōrāculum', meaning 'a place where a god speaks' or 'a divine announcement'. This in turn comes from the verb 'ōrāre', meaning 'to speak' or 'to pray'. The word entered English through Old French during the Middle Ages. The modern metaphorical use — describing a very wise person or reliable source of information — developed in the 16th and 17th centuries, as writers began applying the religious term to anyone whose advice was treated with similar respect.

First known use

15th century

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