noun
Oscar
OS-kuh
noun
1
The gold statuette awarded each year by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievement in film; by extension, the award itself.
"She thanked her whole crew when she won the Oscar for best director."
"The film picked up three Oscars, including best picture."
2
A large, colourful freshwater fish (Astronotus ocellatus) popular in home aquariums.
"His oscar had grown almost a foot long in its tank."
name
1
A common male given name.
"They named their son Oscar after his grandfather."
How to Use Oscar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually means the famous film award, or a type of pet fish.
Common pairings
win an Oscar
Oscar-winning
best picture Oscar
Word Forms
Oscars plural, oscars plural
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She thanked her whole crew when she won the _____ for best director.
Etymology
The award's nickname is of disputed origin — often credited to an Academy librarian who said the statuette reminded her of her uncle Oscar. The name itself blends an old Irish name meaning roughly "deer-friend" with an Old English name meaning "spear of God."