amethyst

noun

am·​e·​thyst ˈa-mə-thəst How to pronounce amethyst (audio)
-(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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mom Rose de France amethyst and diamond sterling silver necklace: $110 Mom will cherish this Rose de France Amethyst and Diamond Sterling Silver Necklace. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025 Thanks to a $25 million renovation that wrapped in 2018, the 271 guest rooms and suites are spacious retreats, boldly accented with shades of deep amethyst, robin egg blue, and gold, and classically done up with the essentials for a good night’s sleep. Katie Chang, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for amethyst

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of amethyst was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Amethyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amethyst. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

amethyst

noun
am·​e·​thyst ˈam-ə-thəst How to pronounce amethyst (audio)
-(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."

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