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cobalt blue

American  

noun

  1. a deep blue to a strong greenish-blue color.

  2. any of a number of pigments containing an oxide of cobalt.


cobalt blue British  

noun

  1. Also called: Thénard's blue.  any greenish-blue pigment containing cobalt aluminate, usually made by heating cobaltous sulphate, aluminium oxide, and phosphoric acid together

    1. a deep blue to greenish-blue colour

    2. ( as adjective )

      a cobalt-blue car

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cobalt blue

First recorded in 1825–35

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The blue-tinted lenses seemed to resonate perfectly with the cobalt blue background of the Davos stage, creating a striking effect.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Of course, in the fashion world, an item of clothing can't just be blue, so Laws says he thinks cornflower and cobalt blue will make a particular appearance across shows.

From BBC • Sep. 11, 2024

If the new regulation was cobalt blue and the regulation back then was sky blue, that would not cut it—the government was out of luck.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2024

Available in amber, cobalt blue and teal for $80.

From Seattle Times • May 28, 2024

Wiping cookie crumbs from his mustache, he turned into the main road, and there, outlined in cobalt blue, stood Guitar.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison