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

But after Miranda’s legendary cerulean monologue, Andy realizes that fashion is more than just stick-thin models and clothes that cost more than your rent.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

Miranda Priestly, along with her anti-bacterial wipes and excellent taste in cerulean sweaters, will once again be portrayed by Hollywood royalty Meryl Streep.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025

“San Francisco has never abandoned its values of compassion and second chances,” said Breed, wearing one of her signature suits, this one a bold cerulean blue.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2024

Whether ultramarine, cerulean, Egyptian or cobalt, blue pigments have colored artworks for centuries.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2024

Dad had painted it a blue he called cerulean, and I thought that name was so pretty that I named the first doll to live in the house Sarah Cerulean.

From "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by emily m. danforth

Related Words

• blue-green