oratory
gb/ˈɔɹətˌɔɹi/ us/ˈɔɹətˌɔɹi/
C1
English
~ 9400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
entity
1
the art of public speaking
the skill of speaking well to a group of people, especially in formal public situations
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s oratory
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'oratory' with 'oratorio'. 'Oratory' is about public speaking; 'oratorio' is a large musical work, usually with a religious story. Learners also sometimes try to use 'oratory' as an adjective (e.g. *'an oratory speech'*); the correct adjective is 'oratorical' or you can say 'a speech full of powerful oratory'.
Synonyms
public speaking (more general and neutral; focuses on speaking to an audience without implying elegance or persuasive style)
|
rhetoric (often stresses persuasive techniques in speech or writing; can suggest manipulation more than 'oratory' does)
|
eloquence (focuses on beauty and effectiveness of language itself, not the whole art of formal speaking)
Antonyms
inarticulateness (describes an inability to express ideas clearly, which contrasts with skilled and effective oratory)
Collocations
political oratory
|powerful oratory
|stirring oratory
|master of oratory
|classical oratory
|the art of oratory
Themes
communication
|politics
|education
Examples
- Her oratory during the campaign won over many undecided voters.
- The professor is respected more for his research than for his oratory.
- King’s speech is remembered as one of the greatest examples of modern oratory.
- The award recognizes outstanding oratory in the field of human rights.
- Despite his nervousness, his oratory improved with every public debate.
Learner examples
- His oratory impressed everyone in the room.
- Good oratory can make a long speech interesting.
- She took a class to improve her oratory.
- The leader’s oratory gave people hope.
- They invited her because of her strong oratory skills.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
2
a formal public speech
a long, formal speech to the public, usually with very strong or fancy language
Usage pattern:
an oratory on [topic]
Common mistake:
Learners often use only 'speech' and do not realize 'oratory' can also mean a single speech, especially one that is long and very formal. Also, some may confuse this sense with the 'skill' sense; here, 'oratory' refers to one specific speech, not the general ability.
Synonyms
speech (more general; does not necessarily suggest the grand, rhetorical style implied by 'oratory')
|
address (formal speech to an audience; often used in official or ceremonial contexts, similar in register to 'oratory')
Antonyms
conversation (implies informal, two-way talk, which contrasts with a one-way, formal speech like an oratory)
Collocations
deliver an oratory
|lengthy oratory
|florid oratory
|political oratory
|campaign oratory
|empty oratory
Themes
communication
|politics
|culture
|education
Examples
- The senator launched into an hour-long oratory on economic reform.
- We expected a short welcome, but instead we got a full-blown oratory.
- His farewell oratory to the staff was moving but excessively dramatic.
- The ceremony opened with an oratory honoring those who had died in the war.
- Her oratory on climate justice left the audience in complete silence.
Learner examples
- The mayor gave a long oratory about the new road.
- Students listened quietly to the guest’s oratory on history.
- The oratory at the event was very formal and serious.
- He prepared his oratory for weeks before the meeting.
- People were bored by his endless oratory about taxes.
Noun
formal
C2
entity
3
small private chapel or prayer room
a small private chapel or room for Christian prayer, often inside a larger building
Usage pattern:
an oratory in [a building]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'oratory' with 'oratorio' (a musical work) or think it means any large church. In this sense, it is usually a small, private prayer room or chapel, not a full church building.
Synonyms
chapel (more general; can be larger and open to the public, whereas an 'oratory' is usually small and more private)
Antonyms
secular building (a building with no religious purpose, contrasting with an oratory’s specific use for prayer and worship)
Collocations
private oratory
|family oratory
|college oratory
|royal oratory
|household oratory
|small oratory
Themes
religion
|architecture
|housing
Examples
- The medieval castle still contains a tiny oratory beside the great hall.
- Residents may use the hospital’s oratory for quiet prayer at any time.
- A small oratory was built next to the library for the monks’ daily devotions.
- The family kept an oratory on the top floor, furnished with simple wooden benches.
- The college oratory hosts a short service every morning before classes.
Learner examples
- There is a small oratory inside the palace.
- The oratory is a quiet place for prayer.
- They built an oratory next to their house.
- Students meet in the oratory every evening to pray.
- The old oratory has only ten seats.
Grammar
Dictionary form
oratory
IPA
GB/ˈɔɹətˌɔɹi/
US/ˈɔɹətˌɔɹi/
Syllables & stress
oratory (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (oratory)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: oratory
- Plural: oratory
Word family
Core family
Advanced or less common
oratorically
adverb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.