French word

oracle

Pronunciation

IPA/oʁakl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounoracle

Example

L'oracle parlait avec sagesse.

The oracle spoke wisely.

Illustration for oracle (oracle)

More examples

Il se prend pour un oracle quand il donne des conseils.

He considers himself an oracle when he gives advice.

Core concept

A person, place, or pronouncement treated as an authoritative answer from the divine.

Similar words

voyant: A person who claims to foresee future events through inspiration or divination.
médium: A person who claims to communicate with spirits and receive information from them.

Definition in French

Personne, lieu ou formule réputé(e) pour fournir une réponse autoritaire sur l'avenir ou la volonté des dieux.

Word origin

The French noun oracle developed from Latin oraculum, which referred to a divine response and came from orare, meaning to speak or pray.

Usage tips

  • French oracle is pronounced roughly /ɔʁakl/, with the final e silent, unlike the usual English pronunciation.

Other meanings

  • prophetnoun

Word lists with this word