Jump To:

• 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.

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

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

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

The color palette consists of hues commonly found in Art Deco architecture, including muted green, sapphire and ruby.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026

In 1960, Theodore Maiman demonstrated the first working laser using a synthetic ruby rod and a photographer’s flash lamp.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

Somewhere between the eggplants and the onions, she disappeared behind a door and emerged with a perfect ruby orb.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2025

In place of the sequined eagles on the sleeves, MoMo had commissioned ruby replicas of the ROC’s emblem, a fistful of feathers.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Division I state champion Harvard-Westlake got 12 kills each from sophomore Brooke Cotter and Boston College-bound Ruby Sampson and 11 from Princeton commit Sophia Cotter against Mater Dei.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 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

What a week it has been for Wales' gymnastics golden girl Ruby Evans.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

She’s been taking lessons for half of her life, so on court at the Burbank Tennis Center, Ruby, 5, happily shows her mom,

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

“If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of William Lamar and/or Ruby Jean Lamar, please call the number on the screen below.”

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone

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

Abraham-Louis Breguet's No.160 Marie Antoinette timepiece features rubies, sapphires, platinum and gold.

From BBC ● Nov. 19, 2024

It has nearly 400 diamonds, rubies and sapphires and is worth $40,000.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2024

And they have no means to make glass, and so the beads, with their bright colors, are to them like rubies, emeralds, and diamonds are to the English.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone

Related Words

• cardinal
• coral
• crimson
• flaming
• glowing
• maroon
• rose
• wine