oasis

American  

[oh-ey-sis] / oʊˈeɪ sɪs /

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

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oasis ¹ British  

/ 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

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Oasis ² British  

/ əʊˈeɪsɪs /

noun

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

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oasis Scientific  

/ ō-ā′sĭs /

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.

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• oasal adjective
• oasean adjective
• oasitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of oasis

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

Example Sentences

These days, transforming the asphalt landscape into a sandy oasis takes about a week, with almost 900 tonnes of sand – that's about six blue whales or 70 double-decker buses – trucked in.

From BBC

“Step outside to a private backyard oasis featuring a sparkling pool and upgraded decking, perfect for entertaining or relaxing Texas-style,” the listing notes.

From MarketWatch

The Bamboo Room, a smaller bar within the sprawling Chicago tiki oasis Three Dots and a Dash, attracts a regular crowd of devotees who love its rum flights and elevated takes on tiki classics.

From The Wall Street Journal

We flew all over the world but never bothered to visit the picturesque oasis in our own backyard.

From Literature

She spotlighted people turning their yards into native plant oases and beautifying public spaces.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• haven
• sanctuary