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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

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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

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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

At its center is a compact red source that closely resembles a little red dot and even evokes the ruby red fruit of the desert cactus.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

Primeira Liga champions Porto have released an away kit in gorgeous ruby - inspired by the port produced in the region as well as the River Douro.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

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

When the skin has collapsed into your palm like a deflated balloon, you lift the box grater and discover an almost implausible amount of ruby pulp underneath it.

From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2026

I was tempted to write my story, how I had washed ashore in an old skiff, a ruined letter and a ruby ring tucked into my swaddling.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk

“It was a major attack in terms of what we see in volume,” said Marty Haught, director of open source at Ruby Central, the nonprofit company that operates RubyGems.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

“It’s incredible for Ruby to be clicking this fast at a new position. As for Brooklyn, she’s so gifted at reading the quarterback. She had two pick-sixes at the Ventura Showcase.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

Nearby hangs Rockwell’s famous 1964 oil painting showing marshals escorting 6-year-old Ruby Bridges to an integrated school.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

Marshals escorting a 6-year-old Ruby Bridges to her newly integrated school, is showcased on a wall of its own, despite not belonging to Lucas or the museum.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

“I just started this month. This girl in my gym class, Ruby, she said—well—it’s stupid—but she said I should come talk to you.”

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

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

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2024

The numbers of diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other stones cover a host of significant stats.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 30, 2024

The rim of her plate was embedded with rubies, and Piper was pretty sure they hadn’t been there at the beginning of the meal.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

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