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

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.