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

This piece highlighted the beauty of turquoise and malachite on a pendant that could be detached from the necklace to surround a watch with a turquoise dial, surrounded by diamonds on a yellow gold bezel, all on an emerald green strap; price upon request, at Piaget, Beverly Hills. —Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 May 2024

The brand’s calling card is basics with a twist: silver rings with chain-like forms, chains that look like nothing else on the market, forms studded with semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli and turquoise. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2024

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