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

Researchers have discovered multiple rare and new species in previously unexplored caves in Cambodia, including a flying snake and a florescent-turquoise pit viper. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

The report, published Monday, documents the discovery of several species including two micro-snails, two millipedes, the turquoise pit viper, a flying snake, and several geckos. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026

Deep inside Cambodia’s limestone caves, researchers have uncovered creatures never before known to science — including a turquoise pit viper, a flying snake, several geckos, two micro-snails and two millipedes. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026

Nearby Lake Cauma, a turquoise alpine lake, is ideal for swimming, paddleboarding and picnicking. —Ramona Saviss, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026

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