amethyst

noun

am·​e·​thyst ˈa-mə-thəst 

-(ˌ)thist

1

a

: a clear purple or bluish-violet variety of crystallized quartz that is often used as a jeweler's stone

b

: a deep purple variety of corundum

2

: a moderate purple

amethystine

ˌa-mə-ˈthi-stən 

adjective

Did you know?

Gems were once believed to have magical qualities. An amethyst, for example, was supposed to have the power to prevent or cure drunkenness in its wearer. For this reason the Greeks gave it the name amethystos, which comes from the prefix a-, meaning “not,” and methyein “to be drunk.”

Examples of amethyst in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Prada, sunglasses in amethyst, $610 Channel your inner 1960s darling — or superhero — in Prada’s grooviest, most out-of-this world pair of sunglasses yet. —Alia Yee Noll, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025

Burns accessorized the look with dangling diamond earrings, a diamond bracelet with a large amethyst stone at its center and pavé rings, all worn on her left hand. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025

With five stones to choose from, just select the composition that resonates with your intentions—from jade for balance to amethyst for tranquility. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025

The design includes purple amethyst as well as 74 diamonds around the ring’s sides — a sum representing the number of goals Minnesota scored during the first season. —Constance Droganes, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English amatiste, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin amethystus, from Greek amethystos, literally, remedy against drunkenness, from a- + methyein to be drunk, from methy wine — more at mead

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

amethyst

noun

am·​e·​thyst ˈam-ə-thəst 

-(ˌ)thist

1

: a clear purple or bluish violet variety of crystallized quartz used as a gem

2

: a medium purple

Etymology

Middle English amatiste "amethyst," from early French amatiste and Latin amethystus (both with the same meaning), from Greek amethystos, literally "remedy against drunkenness," from a- "not" and methyein "to be drunk," from methy "wine"

Word Origin

Gems were once believed to have magical qualities. An amethyst, for example, was supposed to have the power to prevent or cure drunkenness in its wearer. For this reason the Greeks gave it the name amethystos, which comes from the prefix a-, meaning "not," and methyein "to be drunk."