emerald

American  

[em-er-uhld, em-ruhld] / ˈɛm ər əld, ˈɛm rəld /

noun

1. a rare variety of beryl that is colored green by chromium and valued as a gem.

2. emerald green.

3. Printing. (in Britain) a 6½-point type of a size between nonpareil and minion.

4. Ornithology. any of numerous small bright green hummingbirds of the genus Chlorostilbon.

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adjective

1. having a clear, deep-green color.

emerald British  

/ ˈɛmrəld, ˈɛmərəld /

noun

1. a green transparent variety of beryl: highly valued as a gem

2. 1. the clear green colour of an emerald

   2. ( as adjective )

      an emerald carpet

3. (formerly) a size of printer's type approximately equal to 6 1/ 2 point

4. short for emerald moth

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emerald Scientific  

/ ĕm′ər-əld /

1. A transparent, green form of the mineral beryl. It is valued as a gem.

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Usage

What does emerald mean? An emerald is a rare, transparent, deep-green gemstone. Emeralds are a rare green variety of the mineral beryl. They are classified as precious gems, meaning that they have a high commercial value. Emeralds can be very expensive. The value of emeralds is often based on how dark they are, with darker ones being priced higher. The emerald is the traditional birthstone for the month of May. It’s associated with the zodiac signs Taurus and Cancer. The word emerald can also be used to refer to a deep color of green, sometimes called emerald green, or to describe things that are this color. Example: My grandmother gave me this emerald ring to remember where our family immigrated came from—Ireland, the “Emerald Isle.”

Etymology

Origin of emerald

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English emeraude, emeralde, from Anglo-French, Old French esmeraude, esmeralde, esmeragde, from Latin smaragdus, from Greek smáragdos; probably ultimately from Semitic b-r-q “to shine,” also the ultimate source of Sanskrit marakata “emerald”

Explanation

Emerald is a green gemstone. It's also the name of this particular shade of green. On St. Patrick's Day, you'll see the color emerald everywhere — in cupcake icing and maybe even in your beer. Green things are called emerald because of the emerald itself, which is a green, transparent form of beryl and a precious gemstone. Gemstones are found in many forms of jewelry, and they're especially loved in Ireland, which is also known as the Emerald Isle. Like many gemstone names, emerald has a long pedigree in many languages: most immediately French, Latin, and Greek.

Example Sentences

Bachelor No. 2 stood well over six feet with caramel-brown hair and emerald eyes.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

They include a diamond and emerald necklace Emperor Napoleon gave to his wife were stolen.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

ABHA, Saudi Arabia — From the air, Abha’s mountains emerge as a shock of emerald green rising from a sea of sand.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2025

No wonder: With labor costs climbing and the harmful effects of lawn-care chemicals on people and the planet becoming ever-more obvious, the price of maintaining an emerald expanse starts to seem rather steep.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

It had been emerald green, like the plumage of Dr. Dolittle’s parrot Polynesia.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke