oasis

[oh-ey-sis]

noun

plural

oases 

1. a small fertile or green area in a desert region, usually having a spring or well.

2. something serving as a refuge, relief, or pleasant change from what is usual, annoying, difficult, etc..

   The library was an oasis of calm in the hectic city.

   Synonyms: shelter, retreat, harbor, haven

oasis

¹

/ əʊˈeɪsɪs /

noun

1. a fertile patch in a desert occurring where the water table approaches or reaches the ground surface

2. a place of peace, safety, or happiness in the midst of trouble or difficulty

Oasis

²

/ əʊˈeɪsɪs /

noun

1. a block of light porous material, used as a base for flower arrangements

oasis

plural

oases 

1. A small area in a desert that has a supply of water and is able to support vegetation. An oasis forms when groundwater lies close enough to the surface to form a spring or to be reached by wells.

Other Word Forms

• oasitic adjective
• oasal adjective
• oasean adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oasis¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin, from Greek óasis, from Egyptian wḥʾt “oasis region”

Word History and Origins

Origin of oasis¹

C17: via Latin from Greek, probably of Egyptian origin

Example Sentences

Despite the film’s eerie setting filled with slanting shadows, splattered blood and furtive movements darting just out of frame, Indy provides a visual oasis – thanks to a warm golden coat accented with white markings.

Read more on Salon

The trail feels like a hidden urban oasis, secluded yet right in the middle of everything.

Read more on Salon

There was a time when Runyon Canyon Park was primarily visited by locals, a true wilderness oasis in the hills overlooking Hollywood’s bright lights.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This home, described as a "pavilion-like oasis", was built on a previously derelict plot behind a row of terraced houses in south London for a family with a love of Japanese design.

Read more on BBC

I might walk between coffee stations, like a man journeying between oases.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• haven 
• sanctuary 

When To Use

Plural word for oasis

The plural form of oasis is oases, pronounced [ oh-ey-seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -is are also formed in this way, including hypothesis/hypotheses, crisis/crises, and axis/axes. A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices. Irregular plurals that are formed like oases derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek.