oracular

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

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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

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.