oasis
gb/oʊˈeɪsɪs/ us/oʊˈeɪsɪs/
B2
English
~ 6600
oázis, menedék
NOUN
B2
1
oázis
B2
Usage pattern:
an oasis in [a desert]
After days of walking through sand, the travelers finally reached a small oasis.
Többnapos, homokban való gyaloglás után az utazók végre elértek egy kis oázist.
Palm trees surrounded the oasis, and camels were resting by the water.
Pálmafák vették körül az oázist, a tevék pedig a víz mellett pihentek.
The village grew up around an oasis that had supplied water for centuries.
From the air, the oasis looked like a dark green dot in the endless yellow desert.
Learner examples
We saw an oasis in the desert.
Láttunk egy oázist a sivatagban.
The camels drink water at the oasis.
A tevék az oázisnál isznak vizet.
There are many palm trees around the oasis.
People can live near an oasis because there is water.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "oasis" with "mirage". An oasis is real and has water; a mirage is only an image that looks real but is not. Another common mistake is the plural form: the correct plural is "oases", not "oasises". Also, "oasis" is normally countable, so we say "an oasis", not just "oasis" in singular contexts.
Meaning
fertile, green place in a desert
Collocations
desert oasis
|find an oasis
|remote oasis
|lush oasis
|hidden oasis
|oasis town
Synonyms
waterhole (Focuses on the water source itself, not the wider green area around it.)
|
spring (A natural source of water; does not always suggest a desert or a green area.)
Antonyms
desert (Refers to a large, dry, and mostly lifeless area, the opposite environment of an oasis.)
Themes
geography
|nature
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small green place in a desert where there is water and plants can grow.
A fertile area in a desert where water is available, allowing plants, animals, and sometimes people to live.
NOUN
C1
2
Usage pattern:
an oasis of [calm/peace/quiet]
Her garden is an oasis of calm in the middle of the noisy city.
A kertje a nyugalom oázisa a zajos város közepén.
The small café became an oasis of peace during his long, stressful workdays.
A kis kávézó a béke oázisává vált a hosszú, stresszes munkanapjai alatt.
For many children, the library is an oasis in a difficult home life.
The weekend trip was an oasis of rest after months of constant travel.
Learner examples
My room is an oasis of quiet in our loud house.
A szobám a csend oázisa a hangos házunkban.
This park is an oasis in the busy city center.
Ez a park igazi oázis a forgalmas belvárosban.
The hotel felt like an oasis after our long flight.
Her office is an oasis of calm at the chaotic company.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "oasis" without the usual pattern "an oasis of + abstract noun" (e.g., "an oasis of calm", "an oasis of peace"). Another mistake is to use it for any good place, when it should specifically contrast with something difficult or unpleasant around it. It is also less natural to use it for people ("she is an oasis") than for places, times, or situations.
Meaning
peaceful place in difficulty
Collocations
an oasis of calm
|an oasis of peace
|an oasis in the city
|little oasis
|quiet oasis
|green oasis in the middle of [the city]
Synonyms
haven (Stresses safety and protection, often with a slightly literary or emotional tone.)
|
refuge (Emphasizes safety from danger or stress, sometimes more serious than "oasis".)
Antonyms
chaos (Describes complete disorder and noise, the opposite of a calm, peaceful oasis-like situation.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|society
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A calm or nice place or time inside a busy or difficult situation.
A place, period, or situation that is calm, pleasant, or safe in contrast to a surrounding environment that is stressful, noisy, or unpleasant.
Grammar
Dictionary form
oasis
IPA
GB/oʊˈeɪsɪs/
US/oʊˈeɪsɪs/
Syllables & stress
oas - is (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (is)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: oasis
- Plural: oases
Word family
Expressions
an oasis in the city
1/ən oʊˈeɪsɪs ˈɪn ðə sˈɪti/
fixed phrase
quiet natural place in city
A green or quiet place in a big, busy city where people can relax.
Examples
- The new park is an oasis in the city for office workers.
- This rooftop garden is an oasis in the city, far from the traffic below.
an oasis of calm
1/ən oʊˈeɪsɪs əv kˈɑm/
fixed phrase
very calm place in stress
A place or situation that feels very quiet and calm while everything around is busy or stressful.
Examples
- The museum was an oasis of calm on a hot and crowded day.
- Her kitchen is an oasis of calm in a house full of children.
an oasis of peace
1/ən oʊˈeɪsɪs əv pˈis/
fixed phrase
very peaceful place in conflict
A place or situation that is very quiet and safe while the area around it is noisy or full of problems.
Examples
- The monastery was an oasis of peace in a troubled region.
- Their home became an oasis of peace during the political unrest.