Oscar

¹

[ os-ker ]

noun

1. a word used in communications to represent the letter O.
2. a male given name: from Old English words meaning “god” and “spear.”
3. Military. the NATO name for a class of nuclear-powered submarines armed with cruise missiles, designed to attack aircraft carriers and escort ships: first produced for the Soviet Navy in the 1970s; in service with the Russian Navy since 1992.

Oscar

²

[ os-ker ]

Trademark.

1. one of a group of statuettes awarded annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion-picture production and performance.

Oscar

³

[ os-ker ]

noun

1. one of a series of small communications satellites, launched into polar orbit as piggyback passengers on U.S. launch vehicles, for unrestricted use by radio amateurs.

Oscar

¹

/ ˈɒskə /

noun

1. 1. any of several small gold statuettes awarded annually in the United States by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievements in films Official nameAcademy Award
   2. sometimes not capital an award made in recognition of outstanding endeavour in any of various other fields

      the TV Oscars

2. without capital any annual award for excellence
3. communications a code word for the letter o

oscar

²

/ ˈɒskə /

noun

1. slang.
   cash; money

Oscar

1. A small statue given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to winners of its annual awards. ( See Academy Awards .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Oscar¹

Allegedly named in 1931 by Margaret Herrick, librarian and later executive secretary at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, after her uncle

Origin of Oscar²

First recorded in 1980–85; o(rbiting) s(atellite) c(arrying) a(mateur) r(adio)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Oscar¹

C20: sense 1 said to have been named after a remark made by an official on first seeing the statuette, that it reminded her of her uncle Oscar

Origin of Oscar²

C20: rhyming slang, from Oscar Asche (1871–1936), Australian actor

Example Sentences

The ceremony is normally in January, but the 2021 edition was postponed for two months to keep pace with the Globes’ desire to influence Oscar voters, whose 2021 ceremony was also postponed for two months due to the pandemic.

From Vox

That persona may be jarring to fans of the veteran thespian who, in his Oscar-nominated roles in films such as “The Remains of the Day,” is the very master of dignity.

From Washington Post

It will still advertise other products, like Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, as well as play to our collective desire for community in this spot directed by Oscar nominee David Fincher.

From Quartz

Mezrich previously wrote a book about Facebook’s founding, The Accidental Billionaires, which became the Oscar-winning 2010 film The Social Network.

From Quartz

In 2018, Matthew Sturgis brought out “Oscar,” a major new biography, which I ordered from England since, unfathomably, it’s never been published in the United States.

From Washington Post

The Oscar-winning actress put nude photo thieves in their place with one perfect statement.

From The Daily Beast

And the Absinthe House has a full list: Other famous imbibers include P.T. Barnum, Oscar Wilde, and General Robert E. Lee.

From The Daily Beast

How do you push yourself to be better when you get an Oscar for buying breakfast in the morning?

From The Daily Beast

One example would be how fascinating it must be to be Martin Scorsese and have an Oscar at home for The Departed.

From The Daily Beast

Then, Rogen convinces Franco to drink some contaminated water from a stream—which causes the 127 Hours Oscar nominee to dry-heave.

From The Daily Beast

At the present moment the works of Oscar Wilde are being sold in enormous quantities and in many editions.

From Project Gutenberg

Dear Mr. Chaplin,—Won't you please let me have enough money to send little Oscar to college?

From Project Gutenberg

Little Oscar is twelve, and the neighbours all say that he is the brightest little boy they have ever seen.

From Project Gutenberg

A few years ago there lived in this village a minister who had a collie-dog named Oscar.

From Project Gutenberg

In a minute or two the gulls would settle down again to their meal, and again Oscar would charge and rout them.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Oscar

What are the Oscars?

The Oscars is a popular name for the Academy Awards—an annual award ceremony hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to honor excellence in film.

The award presented during the ceremony—a statuette in the form of a gold-plated figure—is called an Academy Award, but it is popularly known as an Oscar. (It’s officially called the Academy Award of Merit.)

Although the term Oscars originated as an informal nickname, it’s the most common way of referring to both the awards and the ceremony, and is even used in an official capacity by the Academy itself.

Winning an Oscar is often considered the most prestigious honor in the film industry, and the ceremony is often seen as the premiere awards show event, known for being attended by many top celebrities in the film and entertainment industry.

Awards are presented in many different categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role, and Best Director.

When are the Oscars?

The 2022 Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27.

The Oscars traditionally occur each year in late February or early March.

Why are they called the Oscars?

The source of the nickname Oscar is thought to be Margaret Herrick, an Academy librarian and later its executive secretary. She is said to have nicknamed the award statuette Oscar in 1931 because it reminded her of her Uncle Oscar. The name started to be used in an official way by the Academy in 1939.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was established in 1927 by prominent film industry members, including Louis B. Mayer and Douglas Fairbanks. The first Academy Awards ceremony was held in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The event was first fully televised in 1953.

Since the first Academy Awards ceremony, many categories have been added, including those for film editing, music scoring, special effects, documentaries, foreign language films, and animated films. Oscars are now awarded in more than 20 categories. There is a separate award show for student films, called the Student Academy Awards.

Nominations for Oscars in most categories are made by active members of the Academy with a specialty in the field that relates to that category. For example, cinematographers make nominations in the category of cinematography. All voting members of the Academy can nominate for best picture. The nominations are then voted on by the entire voting body, and votes are tallied by a third party that keeps the results secret until the ceremony.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing the Oscars?

• Academy Award
• Oscar
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• film
• movie
• actor
• actress
• director

How are the Oscars discussed in real life?

The Academy Awards are most popularly referred to as the Oscars. Winning an Oscar is widely considered the most prestigious honor in the film industry.

Brad Pitt, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry and many more to present at this year's Oscars

— ABC Air Power (@ABCAirPower) April 12, 2021

Pixar has now won 10 Oscars for Best Animated Feature. Everybody else combined has won 9.

— Steve Pond (@stevepond) February 10, 2020

Chris Rock is doing an excellent job hosting the academy awards so far #Oscars

— Markist Deshawn (@iPRthingss) February 29, 2016

 

Try using Oscar!

True or False?

Academy Awards are nicknamed Oscars after Oscar Wilde.