noun
Uncommon
oyster
OY-stuh
Oyster (noun) means a soft-bodied shellfish that lives inside a hard, rough shell, often eaten raw and sometimes producing pearls. Example: “They ordered a dozen oysters on ice as a starter.”
noun
1
A soft-bodied shellfish that lives inside a hard, rough shell, often eaten raw and sometimes producing pearls.
"They ordered a dozen oysters on ice as a starter."
"Only a small fraction of oysters actually contain a pearl."
adj
1
A pale beige colour with hints of grey or pink, resembling the inside of an oyster shell.
"She painted the bedroom walls a soft oyster shade."
verb
1
To gather or fish for oysters.
"Local fishermen have oystered along this coast for generations."
How to use oyster
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shellfish eaten as a delicacy (and occasionally a source of pearls), or a pale greyish-beige colour named after it.
Common pairings
fresh oysters
oyster shell
oyster farm
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- oysters
- Past tense
- oystered
- Comparative
- more oyster
- Superlative
- most oyster
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They ordered a dozen _____ on ice as a starter.
Etymology
From Old French "oistre," ultimately from Latin "ostrea" and Greek "ostreon."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for oyster
See all rhymes for oyster →Frequently asked questions
What does “oyster” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “oyster”?
“Oyster” is pronounced OY-stuh (/ˈɔɪ.stɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “oyster” in a sentence?
Here is “oyster” used in a sentence: “They ordered a dozen oysters on ice as a starter.”
What part of speech is “oyster”?
Depending on how it is used, “oyster” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “oyster” come from?
The word “oyster” comes from Latin. From Old French "oistre," ultimately from Latin "ostrea" and Greek "ostreon.".
Is “oyster” a common word?
“Oyster” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “oyster” have?
“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.
What is the difference between an oyster and a clam or mussel?
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.
What does "oyster" mean as a colour?
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.
Can "oyster" be used as a verb?
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.
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