turquoise

noun

tur·​quoise ˈtər-ˌkȯiz  -ˌkwȯiz 

variants or less commonly turquois

1

: a mineral that is a blue, bluish-green, or greenish-gray hydrous basic phosphate of copper and aluminum, takes a high polish, and is valued as a gem when sky blue

2

: a light greenish blue

Examples of turquoise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His home, painted an eye-catching blue and turquoise, is one of the brightest, and has been expanded and renovated several times over the years. —Kocha Olarn, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025

Drawing inspiration from Olafur Eliasson’s iconic rainbow installation in Lindberg’s hometown of Aarhus, Denmark, the sun titanium is available in rich hues from rusty orange to jade green and turquoise. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 17 Feb. 2025

Many of the bags feature a soft circular shape and come in colors like mustard or turquoise, which are handpainted by a team member. —Alyssa Hardy, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024

The bottom of their bodies are a pale blue fading to bluish-green toward the tail, and the snake’s chin and throat are a light turquoise, according to the study. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English turkeys, from Anglo-French turkeise, from feminine of turkeis Turkish, from Turc Turk

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing turquoise

• turquoise blue
• turquoise green

Kids Definition

turquoise

noun

tur·​quoise ˈtər-ˌk(w)ȯiz 

1

: a blue, bluish green, or greenish gray mineral that contains copper and aluminum, takes a high polish, and is used in jewelry

2

: a light greenish blue

Etymology

Middle English turkeys "turquoise," from early French turkeise (same meaning), derived from turkeis, literally "Turkish (stone)"; so called because it was first brought to Europe from a part of Turkey