pumice

American  

[puhm-is] / ˈpʌm ɪs /

noun

1. Also called pumice stone.  a porous or spongy form of volcanic glass, used as an abrasive.

---

verb (used with object)

pumiced, pumicing

1. to rub, smooth, clean, etc., with pumice.

pumice British  

/ ˈpʌmɪs, pjuːˈmɪʃəs /

noun

1. Also called: pumice stone.  a light porous acid volcanic rock having the composition of rhyolite, used for scouring and, in powdered form, as an abrasive and for polishing

---

verb

1. (tr) to rub or polish with pumice

pumice Scientific  

/ pŭm′ĭs /

1. A usually light-colored, porous, lightweight rock of volcanic origin. The pores form when water vapor and gases escape from the lava during its quick solidification into rock.

---

Other Word Forms

• pumiceous adjective
• pumicer noun

Etymology

Origin of pumice

First recorded before 1000; from Latin pūmic-, stem of pūmex “pumice stone”; replacing Middle English pomis(e), pomish(e), pomice, from Middle French pomis, from Latin; compare Old English pumic- (from Latin ), in pumicstān “pumice stone”; pounce ³

Compare meaning

How does pumice compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• scoria vs. pumice

Example Sentences

Finds included bone pegs for stretching vellum as it dried, and tools such as knives and pumice stones for scraping and smoothing animal hides.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

The pumice samples contained almost no platinum, with levels at or below detection limits.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

He died at Stabiae, a few miles south of Pompeii, gazing over a sea rendered unnavigable by pumice and strong opposing winds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

They had also visited Pompeii, the ancient Italian city buried under volcanic ash and pumice when Mt.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2024

One day he brought a pumice stone out of his suit jacket pocket, and cream; he brandished a nail file, cuticle scissors, a bottle of nail polish.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen