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

/ ˈɔɪstə /

noun

1. 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

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

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

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

   the world is his oyster

5. informal,  a very uncommunicative person

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of oyster¹

1325–75; Middle English oistre < Middle French < Latin ostrea < Greek óstreon; ostracize

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

Idioms and Phrases

see world is one's oyster.

Example Sentences

It reminds me of Sea Ranch, my favorite place in the world, where I’ll eat oysters and drink white wine and watch the sunset.

From Los Angeles Times

“Just like lobsters, oysters started out as food for the poor, then became luxury delicacies,” Kennedy pointed out.

From Salon

“Once I started playing around with flavor combinations that I love — like rhubarb, mint, sumac and mascarpone and black and white cookies — I realized the world is our cookie salad oyster.”

From Salon

Although she saved money on the villa, May and her friends did splash out on food and drink, such as oysters and wine from the region.

From BBC

The world is your oyster when it comes to bathroom art.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clam 
• conch 
• crawfish 
• crustacean 
• lobster 
• mollusk 
• mussel 
• prawn 
• scallop 
• shrimp 
• snail