alabaster

American  

[al-uh-bas-ter, -bah-ster] / ˈæl əˌbæs tər, -ˌbɑ stər /

noun

1. a finely granular variety of gypsum, often white and translucent, used for ornamental objects or work, such as lamp bases, figurines, etc.

2. Also called Oriental alabaster.  a variety of calcite, often banded, used or sold as alabaster.

---

adjective

1. made of alabaster.

   an alabaster column.

2. resembling alabaster; smooth and white.

   her alabaster throat.

alabaster British  

/ -ˌbæstə, ˈæləˌbɑːstə /

noun

1. a fine-grained usually white, opaque, or translucent variety of gypsum used for statues, vases, etc

2. a variety of hard semitranslucent calcite, often banded like marble

---

adjective

1. of or resembling alabaster

Other Word Forms

• alabastrine adjective

Etymology

Origin of alabaster

1350–1400; < Latin < Greek alábastros; replacing Middle English alabastre < Middle French < Latin

Explanation

Alabaster is a pale mineral that's soft enough for carving. In museums, you're likely to see statues and vases carved from alabaster. The root of alabaster is a Greek word meaning "perfume vase," alabastros. You'll also find ancient tomb carvings, windows in medieval cathedrals, and Egyptian sarcophagi made of alabaster. Alabaster is usually white, and because it is translucent, seems lit from within. For this reason, it often describes a pale complexion that seems to glow from the inside.

Example Sentences

They include the alabaster monument to John, seventh earl of Arundel, a high-profile casualty of the Hundred Years’ War with France.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

The researchers noted that intact inscribed ancient Egyptian alabaster vessels are extremely rare, likely fewer than 10 in museum collections worldwide.

From Science Daily • Dec. 18, 2025

The infamous “waxworks” scene captures silent-era figures like Buster Keaton playing cards, their faces pure funereal alabaster.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025

Artefacts, including fragments of alabaster jars which bore the inscriptions of the names of Thutmose II and Hatshepsut, provided definitive evidence.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2025

Then 1 can take a chisel and small tap hammer and tap away at the alabaster.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• porcelain