French word

huître

Pronunciation

IPA/ɥitʁ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounoyster

Example

J'aime les huîtres.

I like oysters.

Illustration for huître (oyster)

More examples

Les huîtres fraîches sont souvent servies avec du citron.

Fresh oysters are often served with lemon.

Core concept

A cultivated or gathered bivalve served in its shell, with briny flesh inside.

Common phrases

  • des huîtres fraîches

    fresh oysters

  • goûter des huîtres

    taste oysters

Similar words

coquillage: A shelled marine mollusk.
moule: A mussel often cooked in stews or served with pasta.
palourde: A round clam commonly soaked to remove sand before eating.

Definition in French

Coquillage bivalve comestible, souvent récolté ou élevé pour sa chair onctueuse et iodée.

Word origin

The French noun huître developed from Old French oistre and huistre, ultimately from Latin ostrea and Greek ostreon.

Usage tips

  • The initial h in huître is silent, allowing l'huître and liaison in les huîtres with a pronounced z sound.

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