a red variety of corundum, used as a gem.
something made of this stone or one of its imitations, as a bearing in a watch.
a deep-red port wine.
deep red; carmine.
Digital Technology. Ruby, an open-source, high-level programming language that is purely object-oriented.
British Printing. a 5½-point type, nearly corresponding in size to American agate.
ruby-colored.
ruby lips.
containing or set or adorned with a ruby or rubies.
a ruby necklace.
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
the deep-red colour of a ruby
( as adjective )
ruby lips
something resembling, made of, or containing a ruby
( as modifier )
ruby necklace
(modifier) denoting a fortieth anniversary
our ruby wedding
(formerly) a size of printer's type approximately equal to 5 1/ 2 point
A deep-red, translucent variety of the mineral corundum, containing small amounts of chromium and valued as a gem.
Compare sapphire
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.
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
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."
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Mum-of -three Ruby Blaken founded Second Snuggle in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and has built a business based on pre-loved children's items.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
Ruby, the Justice companies’ lawyer, attributed the violations in that case to surrounding facilities the family does not own.
From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026
When the march reached Caesars Palace, its leader, Ruby Duncan—a diminutive mother of seven with a ninth-grade education—surprised even some of the protest’s other organizers by leading everyone through the doors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Janet Jackson, Lionel Richie and Wyclef Jean have already signed up to appear at the festival, with Craig David, Blue and Ruby Roberts performing as special guests with Aguilera.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
After a minute or so, he hears her sigh and say, “All right, Ruby Jean. Pull it together. Grab ahold of these granny panties and buck on up, now.”
From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
