aquamarine

American  

[ak-wuh-muh-reen, ah-kwuh-] / ˌæk wə məˈrin, ˌɑ kwə- /

noun

1. a transparent, light-blue or greenish-blue variety of beryl, used as a gem.

2. light blue-green or greenish blue.

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aquamarine British  

/ ˌækwəməˈriːn /

noun

1. a pale greenish-blue transparent variety of beryl used as a gemstone

2. 1. a pale blue to greenish-blue colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      an aquamarine dress

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Usage

What does aquamarine mean? Aquamarine is a light-blue or greenish-blue transparent gemstone. It is a variety of the mineral beryl. The color of aquamarine can resemble pale blue or blue-green sea water—which is what gives it its name. The word aquamarine is also used to refer to such a color, as in The beautiful aquamarine dress stood out among the other muted tones. Aquamarine is considered a semiprecious gemstone, which is a label applied to a class of gems that have a commercial value that’s less than that of stones labeled precious, such as diamonds. Aquamarine is one of the birthstones for the month of March, the other being bloodstone. It is associated with the zodiac sign Pisces. Example: My girlfriend bought me a beautiful aquamarine ring as a way to remember our time snorkeling in the aquamarine waters of the Caribbean.

Etymology

Origin of aquamarine

First recorded in 1590–1600, aquamarine is from Latin aqua marīna “sea water” (named from its color). See aqua, marine

Explanation

Aquamarine is a blue-green color that can be described as a light teal. It's also the name of a gemstone, one of the birth stones for people were born in March. The aquamarine mineral, which looks like a pale green-blue crystal, got its name in the 16th century from the Latin aqua marina, or "sea water." It wasn't until the 1840s that aquamarine was used to describe the color itself. If you love the shade that evokes ocean water, somewhere between green and blue, you can paint your bedroom walls aquamarine, knit a sweater in aquamarine, or buy yourself some aquamarine jewelry.

Example Sentences

A short ride brought me to South Pointe Park and to its pier jutting 450 feet into the aquamarine Atlantic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

The area, known for a famous gorge and aquamarine waters, sits on several active faults.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2024

To sell the distinction, animators crowned Ember with flickering spikes of flame-red hair while Wade sports an ever-gurgling aquamarine pompadour.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2023

They flew to Cozumel, Mexico, where they dived beneath the aquamarine waves.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 5, 2023

But right now she was coming toward her, those aquamarine fingernails poised like talons.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Related Words

• blue-green
• olive