# oyster

/ˈɔɪstɝ/ (US) · /ˈɔɪstɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oyster
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. shellfish

noun · CEFR B1

a sea animal with a hard, rough shell that stays in one place on rocks.

For teachers: a marine bivalve mollusc, typically found in shallow coastal or brackish waters, often harvested for food or pearls.

- We ordered a dozen fresh oysters at the seafood restaurant by the harbour.
- The local economy relies heavily on the cultivation of oysters, which thrive in the nutrient-rich waters of the estuary.

### 2. opportunity

noun · CEFR B2

used in the phrase 'the world is your oyster' to mean you can do anything you want.

For teachers: used figuratively to describe a situation where one has the freedom and opportunity to achieve anything.

- Now that you have graduated, the world is your oyster.
- With his newfound wealth and professional connections, he felt that the world was his oyster, offering limitless possibilities for travel and investment.

### 3. secretive person

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal

a person who is very quiet and keeps secrets well.

For teachers: a person who is remarkably taciturn or capable of maintaining strict confidentiality.

- You can tell Sarah anything; she is an absolute oyster.
- Despite the intense pressure from the press, the witness remained an oyster, refusing to divulge any details regarding the private meeting.

### 4. poultry meat

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small, tasty piece of dark meat found on the back of a chicken or turkey.

For teachers: the small, oval-shaped morsel of tender dark meat located in a cavity of the pelvic bone in fowl.

- The chef says the oyster is the best part of the roasted chicken.
- Experienced carvers know to extract the oysters from the underside of the bird, as they are widely considered the most succulent portion of the carcass.

### 5. travel card

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a plastic card used to pay for travel on buses and trains in London.

For teachers: a form of electronic ticket used on public transport in Greater London.

- I need to top up my Oyster card before we go to the tube station.
- Commuters in London frequently use their Oyster cards for seamless transfers between the Underground and local bus networks.

### 7. to fish

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to look for or collect oysters from the sea.

For teachers: to gather, dredge, or fish for oysters.

- The family has been oystering in these waters for three generations.
- Local regulations strictly limit the months during which commercial vessels are permitted to oyster in the protected bay.

## Examples

- We ate fresh oysters at the seaside restaurant.
- The chef shucked the oysters carefully before serving them on a bed of crushed ice.
- The briny taste of the oyster, sharp with a hint of iodine, lingered on the palate long after the meal had ended.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.