What does Oracle actually do?
Oracle is an old tech company that started with databases, which are important for storing and managing information for businesses. Because it held this important data, Oracle was able to sell other software, like HR and supply chain tools, and then moved into cloud computing. Now, Oracle is getting involved in social media, like TikTok, and artificial intelligence (AI). However, some of Oracle's recent growth relies on future earnings from AI, and there are questions about how much it can actually make from these new areas.
Key Vocabulary
A ketogenic diet, commonly referred to as keto, is a very low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where it burns fat for energy.
Examples:
- Many people follow a keto diet to manage their weight and improve their metabolic health.
- The keto meal plan included plenty of avocados, nuts, and healthy oils.
- She found that a keto lifestyle helped her maintain consistent energy levels throughout the day.
Firmly fixed in place; not subject to change or wavering. In the context, it describes a reputation or character that is unwavering and resolute.
Examples:
- The company maintained a steadfast commitment to quality, even when faced with financial pressures.
- His steadfast loyalty to his team was evident in every game.
- Despite numerous challenges, her resolve remained steadfast.
A breakfast and snack food consisting of rolled oats, nuts, honey or other sweeteners, and sometimes puffed rice, that is baked until crisp. It can also refer to a type of person associated with a healthy, often outdoorsy, lifestyle.
Examples:
- She always kept a bag of homemade granola in her desk for a quick, healthy snack.
- The recipe called for a cup of granola to add crunch to the yogurt parfait.
- He packed a small bag of granola for his hike, knowing it would provide sustained energy.
To supervise a person or their work, or to take responsibility for something so that it is done correctly. It implies a role of management and guidance.
Examples:
- The project manager was appointed to oversee the development of the new software application.
- A dedicated team will oversee the quality control process to ensure all products meet safety standards.
- It is the principal's duty to oversee the daily operations of the school and ensure a conducive learning environment.
The quality of being firmly fixed, resolute, or unwavering. It refers to the characteristic of maintaining a firm purpose or loyalty.
Examples:
- His steadfastness in the face of adversity earned him the respect of his colleagues.
- The team's steadfastness to their goal allowed them to overcome numerous obstacles.
- She admired her mentor's steadfastness in upholding ethical principles.
No longer fresh or new; having lost its original quality or appeal. It can refer to food that has become dry or hard, or to ideas that are no longer interesting or relevant.
Examples:
- The bread had gone stale, so they used it to make croutons.
- After a week, the cookies were a bit stale, but still edible.
- The air in the old house felt stale and dusty.
A small, nectar-feeding bird known for its rapid wing beats and ability to hover in mid-air. In the context, it is used metaphorically, possibly to describe something delicate, intricate, or perhaps an attempt to make something complex seem more appealing.
Examples:
- A tiny hummingbird darted among the flowers, sipping nectar.
- The artist captured the delicate beauty of a hummingbird in flight.
- She installed a feeder to attract hummingbirds to her garden.
The specific methods or procedures used to achieve an objective, especially in a competitive or strategic situation. It often implies a planned approach to gain an advantage.
Examples:
- The sales team developed new tactics to reach a wider customer base.
- His negotiation tactics were aggressive but ultimately effective.
- The military strategists discussed various tactics for the upcoming mission.
Abbreviations formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word (e.g., NASA, NATO). In the context, it refers to specialized jargon or technical terms that can be confusing to outsiders.
Examples:
- Many government agencies are known by their acronyms, such as FEMA and EPA.
- The document was full of acronyms that only industry insiders would understand.
- Learning all the acronyms was the hardest part of starting the new job.
A person whose wealth is estimated at one billion or more units of currency (e.g., dollars, euros, pounds).
Examples:
- The tech entrepreneur became a billionaire after his company went public.
- The philanthropic billionaire pledged a significant portion of his fortune to charity.
- She dreamed of becoming a billionaire and using her wealth to solve global problems.
To be an expression of or give a tangible or visible form to an idea, quality, or feeling. It means to represent or personify something.
Examples:
- The company's new product line embodied innovation and user-friendly design.
- His leadership style embodied the values of integrity and collaboration.
- The ancient temple embodied the architectural genius of its builders.
To delay or postpone an action; to put off doing something, often out of habitual carelessness or reluctance.
Examples:
- He tended to procrastinate on his assignments until the last possible minute.
- If you procrastinate, you might miss important deadlines.
- She decided not to procrastinate and started her project immediately.
Changes direction or strategy significantly, often in response to new information or circumstances. In a business context, it means to adapt a company's focus or offerings.
Examples:
- The startup had to pivot its business model after realizing their initial idea wasn't sustainable.
- A successful company knows when to pivot and embrace new market opportunities.
- The athlete's quick pivots on the court allowed him to evade his opponents.
A type of light truck with an open back for carrying goods. In the context, it refers to a specific type of vehicle.
Examples:
- He loaded the lumber into the back of his pickup truck.
- The farmer used his pickup to transport produce to the market.
- They took the pickup on a camping trip, using it to carry all their gear.
Used (something) to maximum advantage; utilized a resource or advantage to achieve a desired outcome. In finance, it often refers to using borrowed capital for an investment.
Examples:
- The company leveraged its strong brand reputation to enter new markets.
- She leveraged her network of contacts to find a new job quickly.
- They leveraged their early success to secure additional funding for expansion.
A slang term for someone who is highly skilled, successful, or impressive, often in a showy or extravagant way. Originally used for basketball players, it has expanded to describe general success.
Examples:
- That new software update is a total baller, it fixed all the bugs.
- He's a baller in the stock market, always making smart investments.
- The musician's latest album is a baller, topping all the charts.
Drinking (something) in large gulps or in a hearty manner. It often implies drinking quickly or casually from a container.
Examples:
- He was swigging water directly from the bottle after his long run.
- The campers were swigging coffee around the campfire.
- She took a long swig of her energy drink before the competition.
A derogatory and informal term for someone who is considered unpleasant, unfair, or contemptible. It is used here as an informal expression of frustration or rivalry.
Examples:
- Those bastards always get the best parking spots!
- He muttered under his breath about the bastards who had cut him off in traffic.
- The competitors, those bastards, always seemed to be one step ahead.
A nocturnal mammal native to North America, known for its masked face and bushy, ringed tail. In the context, "raccoon mode" is a humorous way to describe frantic, uninhibited eating, similar to how a raccoon might scavenge.
Examples:
- A raccoon was rummaging through the trash cans late last night.
- The children were fascinated by the raccoon washing its food in the stream.
- He felt like a raccoon, sneaking snacks from the fridge in the middle of the night.
A huge or monstrous creature; something enormous, especially a large and powerful organization or institution. It conveys a sense of immense size and power.
Examples:
- The new skyscraper was a concrete and glass behemoth towering over the city.
- The multinational corporation had grown into a global behemoth.
- He felt overwhelmed by the sheer size of the industrial behemoth.