Skip to content

What’s the Plural of Oasis?

Last Updated

An oasis in Zzyzx, CA (formerly Soda Springs). Image by Steve H.
An oasis in Zzyzx, CA (formerly Soda Springs). Image by Steve H.

What’s the plural of “oasis”?

An oasis (or oases pl.) are “a fertile spot in a desert, where water is found.” (Merriam-Webster, oasis).

👍🏼Usage Note

We found several lush oases during our desert trek.

The map indicated the location of two fertile oases.

The single oasis in the vast desert was a welcome oasis.

There are many beautiful oasi in this region.

  • Oasis is singular.
  • The plural of oasis is oases (pronounced o-a-seez).

Nouns that end in sis

Though not invariably, many nouns that end in the suffix -sis to be Greek. Like oasis, analysis, crisis, thesis, synopsis and nemesis are all Greek words, and each likewise each swaps the -is suffix with -es to become a plural,

singular plural
crisis crises
diagnosis diagnoses
oasis oases
synopsis synopses
thesis theses
Greek nouns in English

Roughly 5% of modern English is comprised of Greek. That’s to say, we all speak a little bit Greek—you probably just never realized it. #TheMoreYouKnow

Sentences using “oasis” (sing.)

In geography, an oasis is a fertile land in a desert or semi-desert environment.

Typically, an oasis has a “central pool of open water surrounded by a ring of water-dependent shrubs and trees.

People who live in an oasis must manage land and water use carefully.

He is the one refreshing oasis in the desert wilderness of the Classical school.

The History of Modern Painting

Now I was filled with the desire to lie here in this “oasis” and live at ease and sniff the clean fragrance of mountain plants.

Mount Everest, The Reconnaissance Charles Kenneth Howard-Bury

💡Study Tip

To remember the plural of “oasis,” associate it with other words ending in “-sis” that form their plurals by changing to “-ses,” like “analysis” becomes “analyses.”

Sentences using “oases” (pl.)

Oases also provide habitats for animals and plants.

Oases are made when sources of freshwater, such as underground rivers or aquifers, irrigate the surface naturally or via man-made wells.

Rain showers provide subterranean water to sustain natural oases, such as the Tuat.

Oases often have human histories that are measured in millennia.

There are two types of oases in the world.

ide temporary oases in deserts, while larger, more permanent oases often support human settlements. The plural form “oases” is used consistently, even though it originates from a Greek word with a seemingly irregular plural. Note the correct spelling – it’s not “oases’s” or “oasises.” Consider the sentence: “Scattered across the vast expanse were several lush oases, each a vibrant contrast to the barren landscape.” This highlights the visual impact of multiple oases.

Synonyms of oasis

  • sanctuary
  • haven
  • asylum
  • sanctum
  • retreat  
  • hideaway
  • resting place

These synonyms highlight different aspects of an oasis. “Sanctuary” and “asylum” emphasize protection and refuge, while “haven” suggests safety and comfort. “Sanctum” implies a sacred or private space, whereas “retreat” and “hideaway” focus on seclusion. Note the subtle differences; “resting place” is more literal, describing the physical aspect, unlike the more emotive connotations of the others. Careful word choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Origin of the word oasis

The word oasis came into English from Greek (from Egyptian):

Oasis, from Ancient Greek: ὄασις, óasis, which in turn is a direct borrowing from Demotic Egyptian.

Specifically, the Demotic Egyptian word likely represented a plural form, with the singular possibly being something like wḥt. The Greek adopted the plural form, and subsequently, Latin and then English inherited the word in its pluralized state. This explains why “oasis” is often used as both a singular and plural noun, although the use of “oases” as the plural is considered grammatically correct. Note the pronunciation shift; the Greek ‘o’ is closer to the ‘o’ in ‘bone’ than the ‘o’ in ‘oasis’ as we use it today.

Work Sheet

Question 1 of 10

What is the correct plural form of “oasis”?



How is the correct plural form “oases” pronounced according to the blog post?



Which of the following words, also ending in “-sis,” forms its plural similarly to “oasis”?



Based on the examples in the blog post, which spelling is an incorrect plural form of “oasis”?



Many nouns ending in “-sis” that form plurals like “oasis” (changing -is to -es) originate from which language?



We found several lush during our desert trek.



In geography, an is a fertile land in a desert or semi-desert environment.



often have human histories that are measured in millennia.



The single in the vast desert was a welcome sight.



The map indicated the location of two fertile .





Frequently Asked Questions

What is the plural of “oasis”?
+

The plural of “oasis” is “oases”. This form is used for multiple fertile spots with water in a desert environment. The post gives “We found several lush oases during our desert trek.”

How do you pronounce the plural “oases”?
+

The post states that the plural form “oases” is pronounced “o-a-seez”. This follows the pattern for other Greek words ending in -sis that become -ses in the plural.

How is the plural of “oasis” formed?
+

Like many Greek nouns ending in -sis, “oasis” forms its plural by changing the -is suffix to -es. The post compares it to analysis/analyses and crisis/crises.

Are there common mistakes for “oasis” plural?
+

Yes, the post specifically mentions that “oasi” and “oasises” are incorrect forms. The correct plural is “oases”. Also, avoid adding an apostrophe-s like “oases’s”.

How can I remember the plural form?
+

The post suggests remembering the plural “oases” by associating it with other words ending in “-sis” that form their plurals by changing to “-ses”, such as “analysis” becoming “analyses”.

Yash, D. "What’s the Plural of Oasis?." Grammarflex, Jun 3, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/whats-the-plural-of-oasis/.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, oasis.

The latest from the Grammarflex blog

From grammar and writing to style and clarity, our experts tackle the biggest questions in English and content creation.