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View synonyms for

oyster

[oi-ster]

noun

  1. any of several edible, marine, bivalve mollusks of the family Ostreidae, having an irregularly shaped shell, occurring on the bottom or adhering to rocks or other objects in shallow water.

  2. the oyster-shaped bit of dark meat in the front hollow of the side bone of a fowl.

  3. Slang.a closemouthed or uncommunicative person, especially one who keeps secrets well.

  4. something from which a person may extract or derive advantage.

    The world is my oyster.

  5. oyster white.



verb (used without object)

  1. to dredge for or otherwise take oysters.

oyster

/ ˈɔɪə /

noun

    1. any edible marine bivalve mollusc of the genus Ostrea, having a rough irregularly shaped shell and occurring on the sea bed, mostly in coastal waters

    2. ( as modifier )

      oyster farm

      oyster knife

  1. any of various similar and related molluscs, such as the pearl oyster and the saddle oyster ( Anomia ephippium )

  2. the oyster-shaped piece of dark meat in the hollow of the pelvic bone of a fowl

  3. something from which advantage, delight, profit, etc, may be derived

    the world is his oyster

  4. informala very uncommunicative person

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to dredge for, gather, or raise oysters

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of oyster1

1325–75; Middle English oistre < Middle French < Latin ostrea < Greek óٰDz; ostracize
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Word History and Origins

Origin of oyster1

C14 oistre, from Old French uistre, from Latin ostrea, from Greek ostreon; related to Greek osteon bone, ostrakon shell
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Idioms and Phrases

see world is one's oyster.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Toss it with fresh lobster chunks, enrobe cutlets with hollandaise and bread crumbs before frying, or make the most luscious broiled oysters you've ever had.

From

A variety of species, including avocets, oyster catchers and black-tailed godwits, probe the mud for food and nest on the land between lagoons and streams.

From

The deal also benefits shellfish producers after the EU banned British fishermen from selling live mussels, oysters, clams, cockles and scallops to its member states in 2021.

From

"We've got loads of nutshells, oyster shells, bits of pipe, broken wine bottles and chicken bones."

From

Inside: Sugar Bombs cereal, BlamCo mac and cheese, deviled eggs, caviar, oysters and mixed nuts.

From

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OyoOyster Bay