oracle
gb/ˈɔɹəkəl/ us/ˈɔɹəkəl/
B2
English
~ 4200
jós, orákulum, jóslat
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] consults an oracle
The king traveled for days to consult the famous oracle.
A király napokig utazott, hogy kikérje a híres jós tanácsát.
According to legend, the oracle warned them not to go to war.
A legenda szerint a jós figyelmeztette őket, hogy ne induljanak háborúba.
In Greek mythology, the oracle of Delphi was highly respected.
Learner examples
The people went to the oracle for advice.
Az emberek a jóshoz mentek tanácsért.
The oracle told them what might happen.
A jós elmondta nekik, mi történhet.
An oracle in Greece gave answers to questions.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'oracle' with 'orator' because both involve speaking, but 'oracle' refers to prophecy, not public speaking.
Meaning
Person giving divine prophecy
Collocations
consult an oracle
|ancient oracle
|Delphi oracle
|oracle's prophecy
Synonyms
prophet (A general term for someone who predicts the future, often in a religious context, but not necessarily tied to ancient cultures.)
|
seer (Suggests a mystical or supernatural ability to see the future.)
Antonyms
skeptic (Someone who doubts or questions predictions or divine messages.)
Themes
history
|religion
|mythology
|relationships
Definition
A person in the past who told what they thought would happen, often said to speak for a god.
A person in ancient times who was believed to speak for a god and give predictions or advice.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
receive an oracle [about something]
The oracle foretold the fall of the city.
A jóslat megjövendölte a város bukását.
They interpreted the oracle as a warning.
A jóslatot figyelmeztetésként értelmezték.
An oracle was delivered to the priests before the battle.
Learner examples
The oracle said they would win.
A jóslat szerint győzni fognak.
The oracle gave them hope.
A jóslat reményt adott nekik.
They listened to the oracle before making a choice.
Meaning
Message of divine prophecy
Collocations
receive an oracle
|cryptic oracle
|ancient oracle
Synonyms
prophecy (Focuses on the content of the prediction rather than the person giving it.)
Antonyms
falsehood (An untrue statement, opposite of a truthful or divinely inspired message.)
Themes
religion
|mythology
|communication
Definition
Words that give advice or tell about the future, believed to come from a god.
A statement or message believed to be inspired by a god and offering guidance or predictions.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
orákulum
C2
The application queries an oracle to verify user credentials.
Az alkalmazás egy orákulumhoz fordul a felhasználói hitelesítő adatok ellenőrzéséhez.
In this simulation, an oracle provides correct answers for testing.
Ebben a szimulációban egy orákulum adja a helyes válaszokat a teszteléshez.
They built an AI oracle to predict market trends.
Learner examples
The program asks the oracle for data.
A program adatokat kér az orákulumtól.
An oracle in the computer tells us the answer.
Egy számítógépes orákulum megadja nekünk a választ.
The software uses an oracle to find information.
Meaning
Authoritative computer answer system
Collocations
oracle database
|oracle server
|software oracle
Synonyms
database engine (A more technical term for the software that stores and retrieves data.)
Themes
technology
|computing
|science
Definition
A computer program that gives answers using stored information.
In computing, a system or program that responds to queries with authoritative information, often from a database.
Grammar
Dictionary form
oracle
IPA
GB/ˈɔɹəkəl/
US/ˈɔɹəkəl/
Syllables & stress
or - acle (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (or)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: oracle
- Plural: oracles
Word family
Expressions
oracle of Delphi
1/ˈɔɹəkəl əv dˈɛlfaɪ/
fixed phrase
Ancient Greek prophetess at Delphi
A woman in ancient Greece who gave prophecies, said to speak for the god Apollo.
Examples
- Tourists visit the ruins of the temple of the Oracle of Delphi.
- The Oracle of Delphi was famous across Greece for her predictions.
consult the oracle
1/kənsˈʌlt ðə ˈɔɹəkəl/
fixed phrase
informal
Ask someone wise for advice
To ask someone who is thought to know a lot about something for advice or answers.
Examples
- Whenever we have a problem, we consult the oracle—our grandmother.
- They joked that they would consult the oracle before making any decision.
consult the oracle
2/kənsˈʌlt ðə ˈɔɹəkəl/
fixed phrase
Ask source for special advice
To ask someone or something that is thought to have special knowledge for advice or answers.
Examples
- Before deciding, the villagers went to consult the oracle.
- If you don't know, you can always consult the oracle of the internet.