cerulean

American  

[suh-roo-lee-uhn] / səˈru li ən /

adjective

1. deep blue; sky blue; azure.

2. Heraldry. a sky-blue tincture, used especially on the Continent.

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cerulean British  

/ sɪˈruːlɪən /

noun

1. 1. a deep blue colour; azure

   2. ( as adjective )

      a cerulean sea

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Etymology

Origin of cerulean

1660–70; < Latin caerule ( us ) dark blue, azure (akin to caelum sky) + -an

Explanation

Something that's cerulean is colored a clear, deep blue. On a sunny summer day, the sky is often cerulean, with just a few puffy white clouds. Your cerulean sweater might be your favorite, since you believe it makes your eyes look cerulean as well. Tropical beaches can claim to have white sand and cerulean water, and a bright October morning often comes with a cerulean sky. The word has been around since the 17th century, from the Latin caeruleus, "dark blue," with the root caelum, "heaven" or "sky."

Example Sentences

Others, such as Cerulean Warblers and Red Knots, begin their prebreeding migratory journeys in the Southern Hemisphere, where days are getting shorter, not longer, and then cross the equator to reach North America.

From Scientific American • Apr. 20, 2023

But he largely avoids judgment while devising formal titles for dwellings like Pixel Ghost, Cerulean Icebox, Minoan Makeover and Samurai Helmet House.

From New York Times • Apr. 21, 2022

Asian styles were evoked in the multitudinous use of layers — a thick hybrid poncho in Cerulean blue with tassels, or an oversize coat covered in blurred text that looked like a decorative pattern.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 24, 2017

Other winter items used among Cerulean, the Black Sparrow, Restauration and Heirloom include turnips, spinach, microgreens, beets and carrots locally through the latter part of fall and winter.

From Washington Times • Mar. 12, 2016

Cerulean light escapes the healing-lanterns drifting through the chamber.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• blue-green