oracles: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Literary, Historical, Formal, sometimes Ironic.
Quick answer
What does “oracles” mean?
Individuals believed to be able to deliver prophecies or divine wisdom, often through direct communication with a deity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Individuals believed to be able to deliver prophecies or divine wisdom, often through direct communication with a deity.
1. In ancient Greece and Rome, the priest or priestess at a shrine who delivered the god's prophetic response. 2. A source of wise counsel or prophetic prediction. 3. The shrine or place where divine prophecies were delivered. 4. Any person or thing regarded as an infallible authority or guide (modern, often ironic).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical in both varieties, with the same historical and metaphorical applications.
Connotations
Core connotations are identical. The ironic modern use ('oracle of Wall Street') may be slightly more common in American financial/business journalism.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, found in similar contexts (history, literature, tech/business metaphors).
Grammar
How to Use “oracles” in a Sentence
the oracles of [place/person/deity] (e.g., the oracles of Delphi)oracles who/that [verb] (e.g., oracles who foretold the future)to consult/seek/ask the oraclesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “oracles” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The priestess would oracle the will of the gods.
American English
- The system is designed to oracle complex data patterns.
adjective
British English
- The oracle bones were used for divination.
American English
- He made an oracle pronouncement on the economy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'Market oracles predicted a downturn.' Refers to influential analysts.
Academic
Used in history, classics, religious studies: 'The role of oracles in ancient political decision-making.'
Everyday
Rare. Used metaphorically/humorously: 'Don't ask me, I'm not one of the oracles!'
Technical
In computing, an 'oracle' is a theoretical entity that can solve a specific problem instantly. The plural is rarely used technically.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “oracles”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “oracles”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “oracles”
- Using 'oracles' as a singular noun (e.g., 'an oracles said...' - incorrect). Confusing 'oracle' (person/place) with 'prophecy' (the message). Overusing the modern ironic sense in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely and archaically. The verb 'to oracle' (to prophesy) exists but is almost exclusively literary or historical.
An oracle is typically a specific person/channel at a specific location delivering divine messages, often in a trance. A prophet is a more general figure who receives and communicates divine revelations, often with a moral or reformative mission.
Yes, though less common today. One can say 'the oracle foretold doom,' where 'oracle' means the prophetic utterance.
Because discussions often refer to the phenomenon collectively (the various oracles of Greece) or to multiple instances of consultation, rather than focusing on a single individual.
Individuals believed to be able to deliver prophecies or divine wisdom, often through direct communication with a deity.
Oracles is usually literary, historical, formal, sometimes ironic. in register.
Oracles: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɒr.ə.kəlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɔːr.ə.kəlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to work the oracle (UK, archaic: to raise money or achieve something by clever means)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ORACLES = O ld R eligious A dvisors C an L ook E asily S ecretly.
Conceptual Metaphor
WISDOM / THE FUTURE IS A HIDDEN PLACE (to which only special guides have access).
Practice
Quiz
In modern metaphorical usage, 'oracles' most commonly refers to: