emerald

American  

[em-er-uhld, em-ruhld] / ˈɛm ər əld, ˈɛm rəld /

noun

• emeralds
  plural

1. a rare variety of beryl that is colored green by chromium and valued as a gem.

2. emerald green.

3. Printing. (in Britain) a 6½-point type of a size between nonpareil and minion.

4. Ornithology. any of numerous small bright green hummingbirds of the genus Chlorostilbon.

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adjective

1. having a clear, deep-green color.

emerald British  

/ ˈɛmrəld, ˈɛmərəld /

noun

1. a green transparent variety of beryl: highly valued as a gem

2. 1. the clear green colour of an emerald

   2. ( as adjective )

      an emerald carpet

3. (formerly) a size of printer's type approximately equal to 6 1/ 2 point

4. short for emerald moth

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emerald Scientific  

/ ĕm′ər-əld /

1. A transparent, green form of the mineral beryl. It is valued as a gem.

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Usage

What does emerald mean? An emerald is a rare, transparent, deep-green gemstone. Emeralds are a rare green variety of the mineral beryl. They are classified as precious gems, meaning that they have a high commercial value. Emeralds can be very expensive. The value of emeralds is often based on how dark they are, with darker ones being priced higher. The emerald is the traditional birthstone for the month of May. It’s associated with the zodiac signs Taurus and Cancer. The word emerald can also be used to refer to a deep color of green, sometimes called emerald green, or to describe things that are this color. Example: My grandmother gave me this emerald ring to remember where our family immigrated came from—Ireland, the “Emerald Isle.”

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• emeralds
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of emerald

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English emeraude, emeralde, from Anglo-French, Old French esmeraude, esmeralde, esmeragde, from Latin smaragdus, from Greek smáragdos; probably ultimately from Semitic b-r-q “to shine,” also the ultimate source of Sanskrit marakata “emerald”

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Explanation

Emerald is a green gemstone. It's also the name of this particular shade of green. On St. Patrick's Day, you'll see the color emerald everywhere — in cupcake icing and maybe even in your beer. Green things are called emerald because of the emerald itself, which is a green, transparent form of beryl and a precious gemstone. Gemstones are found in many forms of jewelry, and they're especially loved in Ireland, which is also known as the Emerald Isle. Like many gemstone names, emerald has a long pedigree in many languages: most immediately French, Latin, and Greek.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

emerald emeralds

Then, two bright emerald eyes appeared low in the grass.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

She said the group was always on the lookout for new arrivals and had already recorded the willow emerald damselfly, the southern oak bush cricket and the purple emperor butterfly, as more species travelled north.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

An adjacent painting depicts Shah Jahan holding an enormous emerald from Colombia—a testament to the Mughals’ access to far-flung trade networks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026

Meanwhile, the primary bathroom is the epitome of luxury thanks to its emerald tiles, walk-in shower, and a large soaking tub.

From MarketWatch ● May 28, 2026

Marco pulls her to him in an emerald embrace, so close that no distinction remains between where his suit ends and her gown begins.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

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

The jewellery was made with gold, sapphires and emeralds originating from Zambia or Thailand, according to Spanish media.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

In addition to lithium, Somaliland is rich in tantalum and niobium -- critical minerals for electronics -- as well as gold, copper, and emeralds, according to the ministry, though quantities have yet to be verified.

From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026

Thousands of diamonds studded the jewels, as well as sapphires and emeralds the size of lozenges.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 25, 2025

In the distance, under the artificial sunlight of Elysium, the Isles of the Blest glittered like emeralds in a sparkling blue lake.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

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