noun

oyster

OY-stuh

noun

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

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

To gather or fish for oysters.

"Local fishermen have oystered along this coast for generations."

How to Use Oyster

Learner’s notes

In 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

more oyster comparative, oystered past tense, Oysters plural, oysters singular, most oyster superlative

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They ordered a dozen _____ on ice as a starter.

From Old French "oistre," ultimately from Latin "ostrea" and Greek "ostreon."

shyster