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• ruby
  ruby

  noun

  a red variety of corundum, used as a gem.
• Ruby
  Ruby

  noun

  a female given name.

ruby

¹ American  

[roo-bee] / ˈru bi /

noun

• rubies
  plural

1. a red variety of corundum, used as a gem.

2. something made of this stone or one of its imitations, as a bearing in a watch.

3. a deep-red port wine.

4. deep red; carmine.

5. Digital Technology. Ruby, an open-source, high-level programming language that is purely object-oriented.

6. British Printing. a 5½-point type, nearly corresponding in size to American agate.

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adjective

1. ruby-colored.

   ruby lips.

2. containing or set or adorned with a ruby or rubies.

   a ruby necklace.

Ruby ² American  

[roo-bee] / ˈru bi /

noun

1. a female given name.

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ruby British  

/ ˈruːbɪ /

noun

1. a deep red transparent precious variety of corundum: occurs naturally in Myanmar and Sri Lanka but is also synthesized. It is used as a gemstone, in lasers, and for bearings and rollers in watchmaking. Formula: Al 2 O 3

2. 1. the deep-red colour of a ruby

   2. ( as adjective )

      ruby lips

3. 1. something resembling, made of, or containing a ruby

   2. ( as modifier )

      ruby necklace

4. (modifier) denoting a fortieth anniversary

   our ruby wedding

5. (formerly) a size of printer's type approximately equal to 5 1/ 2 point

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ruby Scientific  

/ ro̅o̅′bē /

1. A deep-red, translucent variety of the mineral corundum, containing small amounts of chromium and valued as a gem.

2. Compare sapphire

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Usage

What does ruby mean? A ruby is a transparent red gemstone. Rubies are one of the most well-known gemstones, along with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. They are classified as precious gems, meaning that they have a high commercial value. Rubies are quite rare and are considered one of the most valuable gems. Besides diamond, ruby is one of the hardest known natural substances. The ruby is the traditional birthstone for the month of July. It is associated with the zodiac signs Capricorn and Leo. The word ruby is also used to refer to a jewel-toned red color or describe things that are that color. The word is often used in the term ruby red, as in Look at that ruby red sports car! The word ruby is sometimes used to describe a 40-year anniversary, as in It’s my parents’ ruby anniversary this year—I can’t believe they’ve been married for 40 years!Ruby is also a given name, traditionally a female one. It’s also the name of a programming language. Example: The ring features a large ruby surrounded by diamonds. 

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ruby-like
  adjective
• rubylike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• rubies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ruby

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English noun rubi from Old French, from Old Provençal robi(n) , from Medieval Latin rubīnus (lapis) “red (stone),” derivative of Latin ruber, rubeus red ¹

Explanation

A ruby is a gemstone that's usually a deep red. You can also describe things that are this same red color as ruby, like Dorothy's ruby slippers. Rubies are one of four types of precious stones — the others are diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. A ruby can be any reddish shade from pink to dark red, and it's the official birthstone for people born in July. Less expensive rubies are often treated with high heat, which improves the color and clarity of the stone. Ruby comes from the Medieval Latin rubinus lapis, "red stone."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ruby Ruby rubies

At its center is a compact red source that closely resembles a little red dot and even evokes the ruby red fruit of the desert cactus.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026

Primeira Liga champions Porto have released an away kit in gorgeous ruby - inspired by the port produced in the region as well as the River Douro.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

Bright and juicy, earthy and floral, with a light ruby color and notes of strawberry and fresh black cherry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

German counter with mustard-slicked potatoes and ruby cabbage slaw?

From Salon ● Feb. 12, 2026

Only imagine how Mrs. Lapham would come running, dropping nervous curtsies, when he drove up in that ruby coach!

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

Her diagnosis with autism at age 14 was, to Ruby, a relief.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

"Ruby is one of the most respected figures in the women's game," Trailfinders head coach Barney Maddison told the club's website, external.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

Director of Animal Care Kristen Wieners said Ruby had shown signs of distress last weekend.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026

Dan Ruby, of Minot, N.D., a state representative for 25 years, runs a sanitation company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

I look up and see Ruby heading toward me, waving her hand in my face.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

A stunning jeweled dagger hilt and scabbard from Jahangir’s reign incorporate more than 2,000 diamonds, rubies and emeralds set in an intricate pattern in gold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026

Bars and rings trade at a premium to the world price at gold and jewellery shops across the country, where bullion emblazoned with dragons is sold alongside ornate goldware inlaid with pearls and rubies.

From Barron's ● Jan. 30, 2026

They come from a glittering hoard of nearly 1,800 pearls, rubies, topaz, sapphires, and patterned gold sheets, first glimpsed deep inside a brick chamber near the Buddha's birthplace in present-day Uttar Pradesh in India.

From BBC ● May 3, 2025

It contains just under 400 diamonds, rubies and sapphires and is set onto yellow gold, with a total karat weight of approximately 6 carats.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2024

The third important arrival was Sir Aglovale, who came rather late in the afternoon, when the rubies had left the table and climbed the wall.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

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