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• ruby
  ruby

  noun

  a red variety of corundum, used as a gem.
• Ruby
  Ruby

  noun

  a female given name.

ruby

¹ American  

[roo-bee] / ˈru bi /

noun

• rubies
  plural

1. a red variety of corundum, used as a gem.

2. something made of this stone or one of its imitations, as a bearing in a watch.

3. a deep-red port wine.

4. deep red; carmine.

5. Digital Technology. Ruby, an open-source, high-level programming language that is purely object-oriented.

6. British Printing. a 5½-point type, nearly corresponding in size to American agate.

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adjective

1. ruby-colored.

   ruby lips.

2. containing or set or adorned with a ruby or rubies.

   a ruby necklace.

Ruby ² American  

[roo-bee] / ˈru bi /

noun

1. a female given name.

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ruby British  

/ ˈruːbɪ /

noun

1. a deep red transparent precious variety of corundum: occurs naturally in Myanmar and Sri Lanka but is also synthesized. It is used as a gemstone, in lasers, and for bearings and rollers in watchmaking. Formula: Al 2 O 3

2. 1. the deep-red colour of a ruby

   2. ( as adjective )

      ruby lips

3. 1. something resembling, made of, or containing a ruby

   2. ( as modifier )

      ruby necklace

4. (modifier) denoting a fortieth anniversary

   our ruby wedding

5. (formerly) a size of printer's type approximately equal to 5 1/ 2 point

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ruby Scientific  

/ ro̅o̅′bē /

1. A deep-red, translucent variety of the mineral corundum, containing small amounts of chromium and valued as a gem.

2. Compare sapphire

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Usage

What does ruby mean? A ruby is a transparent red gemstone. Rubies are one of the most well-known gemstones, along with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. They are classified as precious gems, meaning that they have a high commercial value. Rubies are quite rare and are considered one of the most valuable gems. Besides diamond, ruby is one of the hardest known natural substances. The ruby is the traditional birthstone for the month of July. It is associated with the zodiac signs Capricorn and Leo. The word ruby is also used to refer to a jewel-toned red color or describe things that are that color. The word is often used in the term ruby red, as in Look at that ruby red sports car! The word ruby is sometimes used to describe a 40-year anniversary, as in It’s my parents’ ruby anniversary this year—I can’t believe they’ve been married for 40 years!Ruby is also a given name, traditionally a female one. It’s also the name of a programming language. Example: The ring features a large ruby surrounded by diamonds. 

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ruby-like
  adjective
• rubylike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• rubies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ruby

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English noun rubi from Old French, from Old Provençal robi(n) , from Medieval Latin rubīnus (lapis) “red (stone),” derivative of Latin ruber, rubeus red ¹

Explanation

A ruby is a gemstone that's usually a deep red. You can also describe things that are this same red color as ruby, like Dorothy's ruby slippers. Rubies are one of four types of precious stones — the others are diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. A ruby can be any reddish shade from pink to dark red, and it's the official birthstone for people born in July. Less expensive rubies are often treated with high heat, which improves the color and clarity of the stone. Ruby comes from the Medieval Latin rubinus lapis, "red stone."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ruby Ruby rubies

Bright and juicy, earthy and floral, with a light ruby color and notes of strawberry and fresh black cherry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

And, speaking of holy grails: Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” fetched $32.5 million.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

In 1960, Theodore Maiman demonstrated the first working laser using a synthetic ruby rod and a photographer’s flash lamp.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

Though a fork and knife make one feel civilized while digging into the roast, this ruby glass of Rioja Alta doesn’t hurt.

From Salon ● Nov. 8, 2025

The beaded chain holding her reading glasses glittered like a ruby necklace.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Ruby says North Dakota exceeds the national standard on some benefits, such as supplementing Social Security checks for workers whose injuries prevent them from contributing payroll taxes to that system.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

Dan Ruby, of Minot, N.D., a state representative for 25 years, runs a sanitation company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

In September 2025, Ruby Mora, a 34-year-old from Pennsylvania, packed her bags and moved to the Netherlands with her husband.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026

Ruby eventually leaves with Minho for a walk.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

“How else would Edie know about my vitiligo? That’s why Ruby sent me that apology text.”

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

A stunning jeweled dagger hilt and scabbard from Jahangir’s reign incorporate more than 2,000 diamonds, rubies and emeralds set in an intricate pattern in gold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026

Bars and rings trade at a premium to the world price at gold and jewellery shops across the country, where bullion emblazoned with dragons is sold alongside ornate goldware inlaid with pearls and rubies.

From Barron's ● Jan. 30, 2026

Abraham-Louis Breguet's No.160 Marie Antoinette timepiece features rubies, sapphires, platinum and gold.

From BBC ● Nov. 19, 2024

It has nearly 400 diamonds, rubies and sapphires and is worth $40,000.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2024

But now I see that it is as if they are trading strawberries for rubies and corn for diamonds.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone

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