ORACULAR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does oracular mean? 

• ORACULAR (adjective)
  The adjective ORACULAR has 3 senses:

1. of or relating to an oracle

2. obscurely prophetic

3. resembling an oracle in obscurity of thought

  Familiarity information: ORACULAR used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ORACULAR (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to an oracle

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

able by oracular means to expose a witch

Pertainym:

oracle (a prophecy (usually obscure or allegorical) revealed by a priest or priestess; believed to be infallible)

Derivation:

oracle (a prophecy (usually obscure or allegorical) revealed by a priest or priestess; believed to be infallible)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Obscurely prophetic

Synonyms:

Delphic; oracular

Context example:

an oracular message

Similar:

prophetic; prophetical (foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Resembling an oracle in obscurity of thought

Synonyms:

enigmatic; oracular

Context example:

an enigmatic smile

Similar:

ambiguous (having more than one possible meaning)

Derivation:

oracle (an authoritative person who divines the future)

 Context examples 

And I could see Charley Furuseth, as I had said good-bye to him that morning, lounging in a dressing-gown on the be-pillowed window couch and delivering himself of oracular and pessimistic epigrams.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

He took out of his pocket the most respectable hunting-watch I ever saw, and preventing the spring with his thumb from opening far, looked in at the face as if he were consulting an oracular oyster, shut it up again, and said, if I pleased, it was half past eight.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)