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

The Emerald Isle has become a top filming location.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

In late 2024, she was asked by filmmaker Emerald Fennell to contribute a song to the director’s reimagining of Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

"Wuthering Heights," Emerald Fennell's steamy adaptation of the classic Emily Bronte novel, charmed moviegoers in North America over the four-day US holiday weekend, raking in $40 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

In the months leading up to Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s beloved novel “Wuthering Heights,” one rumor about the writer-director’s new version of the classic story took hold among the public.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2026

Emerald lanterns shine above doors and inside windows.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton