oyster
Americannoun
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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.
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the oyster-shaped bit of dark meat in the front hollow of the side bone of a fowl.
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Slang. a closemouthed or uncommunicative person, especially one who keeps secrets well.
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something from which a person may extract or derive advantage.
The world is my oyster.
verb (used without object)
noun
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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
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( as modifier )
oyster farm
oyster knife
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any of various similar and related molluscs, such as the pearl oyster and the saddle oyster ( Anomia ephippium )
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the oyster-shaped piece of dark meat in the hollow of the pelvic bone of a fowl
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something from which advantage, delight, profit, etc, may be derived
the world is his oyster
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informal a very uncommunicative person
verb
Etymology
Origin of oyster
1325–75; Middle English oistre < Middle French < Latin ostrea < Greek óstreon; ostracize
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Graham Platner, a 41-year-old combat veteran and oyster farmer from a town of 1,000, is leading two-term Gov. Janet Mills by more than 30 points in the most recent poll.
From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026
His debut ad felt like an Aquaman trailer, the veteran and oyster farmer’s basso profondo voice overlaying scenes of him in wet suits, splitting wood, piloting a boat, flying the flag, swinging a kettlebell.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026
Several native oyster nurseries have been created at Bangor Marina, Belfast Harbour, Glenarm and Carrickfergus.
From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026
Other edible mushrooms in California that are far more recognizable — and don’t have dangerous lookalikes — include the chicken of the woods, oyster mushroom and honey mushroom, Diaz said.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025
As the record played, Albert picked up chairs, collected oyster shells, relit candles, and straightened the plates and silverware.
From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
