oyster

The word “oyster” means a soft-bodied shellfish that lives inside a hard, rough shell, often eaten raw and sometimes producing pearls. In plain terms, a shellfish eaten as a delicacy (and occasionally a source of pearls), or a pale greyish-beige colour named after it.

“Oyster” is pronounced OY-stuh (/ˈɔɪ.stɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “oyster” used in a sentence: “They ordered a dozen oysters on ice as a starter.”

Depending on how it is used, “oyster” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.

The word “oyster” comes from Latin. From Old French "oistre," ultimately from Latin "ostrea" and Greek "ostreon.".

“Oyster” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Oyster” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft-bodied shellfish that lives inside a hard, rough shell, often eaten raw and sometimes producing pearls.

Oysters, clams, and mussels are all soft-bodied shellfish with hard shells, but oysters are known for their rough, irregular shells and their occasional production of pearls. Clams and mussels typically have smoother, more symmetrical shells and aren't associated with pearls in the same way.

As a colour, "oyster" describes a pale beige shade with hints of grey or pink, named after the interior of an oyster shell. It's a muted, neutral tone often used in fashion and interior design.

Yes, "to oyster" means to gather or fish for oysters, describing the activity rather than the animal itself. This usage is less common than the noun form but appears in contexts describing fishing or harvesting.