oracular

[ aw-rak-yuh-ler, oh-rak- ]

/ ɔˈræk yə lər, oʊˈræk- /

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adjective

of the nature of, resembling, or suggesting an oracle: an oracular response.

giving forth utterances or decisions as if by special inspiration or authority.

uttered or delivered as if divinely inspired or infallible; sententious.

ambiguous; obscure.

portentous; ominous.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of oracular

1625–35; < Latin ōrācul(um) oracle + -ar¹

SYNONYMS FOR oracular

1. prophetic. 2. authoritative, dogmatic. 4. equivocal.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR oracular ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formso·rac·u·lar·ly, adverbo·rac·u·lar·i·ty

[aw-rak-yuh-lar-i-tee, oh-rak-] /ɔˌræk yəˈlær ɪ ti, oʊˌræk-/, o·rac·u·lar·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for oracular

They make the Court an oracular interpreter of the 225-year-old Constitution that serves as the most basic American law.
God Save the United States From This Anti-Democratic Court|Jedediah Purdy|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His comments are aphoristic or oracular, but often infused with wit.
Stephen Hawking 70th-Birthday Salute|Martin Rees|January 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Greenspan cultivated an oracular air, his utterances vague and technocratic yet hinting at shamanistic powers.
Bernanke's Arrogance Problem|Zachary Karabell|December 6, 2010|DAILY BEAST
I suppose I remembered it for its oracular sound, and because I was not intended to listen.
The Heir of Redclyffe|Charlotte M. Yonge

As regards your oracular distinction between the two styles, I am not sure I quite understand you.
The Country House|Alexis de Chteauneuf and Sir Charles Lock Eastlake
They were oracular temples of the Sun; which in aftertimes were called Petra, and ascribed to other Gods.
A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume I.|Jacob Bryant
In a few minutes there was silence in the hut, save for the oracular breathing of Prince Levis and the sparks from the fire.
Pierre And His People, [Tales of the Far North], Complete|Gilbert Parker
A voice reached to them from the innermost recess—a voice which intoned, a voice which was oracular.
The Summons|A.E.W. Mason

British Dictionary definitions for oracular

oracular

/ (ɒˈrækjʊlə) /

adjective

of or relating to an oracleApollo had his oracular shrine at Delphi

wise and prophetican oracular political thriller

mysterious or ambiguous

Derived Formsoracularly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for oracular

oracular

adj.

1670s, from Latin oraculum (see oracle) + -ar.