turquoise

American  

[tur-koiz, -kwoiz] / ˈtɜr kɔɪz, -kwɔɪz /

noun

• turquoises
  plural

1. Also turquois. an opaque mineral, a basic hydrous copper aluminum phosphate often containing a small amount of iron, sky-blue or greenish-blue in color, cut cabochon as a gem.

2. Also called turquoise blue.  a greenish blue or bluish green.

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turquoise British  

/ -kwɑːz, ˈtɜːkwɔɪz /

noun

1. a greenish-blue fine-grained secondary mineral consisting of hydrated copper aluminium phosphate. It occurs in igneous rocks rich in aluminium and is used as a gemstone. Formula: CuAl 6 (PO 4 ) 4 (OH) 8 .4H 2 O

2. 1. the colour of turquoise

   2. ( as adjective )

      a turquoise dress

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turquoise Scientific  

/ tûr′kwoiz′,-koiz′ /

1. A blue to bluish-green or yellowish-green triclinic mineral that occurs in reniform (kidney-shaped) masses with surfaces shaped like a bunch of grapes, especially in aluminum-rich igneous rocks such as trachyte. In its polished blue form it is prized as a gem. Chemical formula: CuAl ₆ (PO ₄ ) ₄ (OH) ₈ ·5H ₂ O

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Usage

What does turquoise mean? Turquoise is an opaque sky-blue or greenish-blue mineral commonly used as a gemstone. It can also be yellowish-green, but it’s best known for its greenish-blue variety. It’s also sometimes spelled turquois, but this is much less common. Turquoise is categorized as a semiprecious stone, which is a classification used for stones considered to have a lower value than those deemed precious. Turquoise that is more blue than green is often more valuable. Turquoise is commonly used in jewelry, though some pieces sold as turquoise may be artificial or only turquoise-colored. Turquoise used in jewelry is often cut in the form of a cabochon, an oval shape that’s polished but not faceted. In the U. S., turquoise jewelry is especially associated with Native American artisans, particularly from tribes primarily based in the Southwest, such as the Hopi and Navajo. Turquoise is one of the birthstones for the month of December. It is associated with the zodiac signs Sagitarrius and Capricorn. The word turquoise is also commonly used as the name of a teal or sky-blue color (like the color of the stone). Example: The Caribbean Sea is known for its turquoise-blue waters.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• turquoises
  plural

Etymology

Origin of turquoise

1350–1400; < French: Turkish (stone), equivalent to Turc Turk + -oise, feminine of -ois -ese; replacing Middle English turkeis < Middle French

Compare meaning

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

• teal vs. turquoise

Explanation

If your favorite color is turquoise, it means that you're partial to a particular bluish-green shade. The color known as turquoise comes from the semi-precious gem of the same name. Chemically, turquoise is a mineral made of copper aluminum phosphate, but you're most likely to be familiar with its polished form, especially in rings and necklaces and belt buckles. Interestingly, the word for this traditionally Native American gem comes from a word that means "Turkish," based on its long-ago introduction from Turkey to other parts of Europe.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

turquoise turquoises

My glass of vermút sweats down to the turquoise tabletop.

From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026

The Okinawa region, a popular resort destination of many islands with turquoise seas, relies on tourism for over 80 percent of its economy.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

But every spring and summer, it undergoes a remarkable transformation, with large areas turning a vivid turquoise.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

Perched on a bluff near the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater entices millions each year with its sugary-white beach and turquoise waters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

Also, the turquoise marker is dry because I use it so much—so the ink runs out halfway through coloring the stripes.

From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee

It’s an onslaught of extravagant Rococo, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, modern and contemporary porcelain showpieces, gilded and in dazzling blues, turquoises, ochers and pinks—made for sovereigns, dignitaries, diplomats, heads of state and the wealthy elite.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2025

Shot on Fuji film, the pictures feature vivid blues and turquoises as well as the earth tones of the land and scrubby grass.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 29, 2022

In the case of “Moonlight,” that meant bright turquoises and greens, blue-black skin tones and tropical Florida light that captured the “beautiful nightmare” playwright Tarell McCraney had in mind when he wrote the original story.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 14, 2018

And as with the Huffington apartment, hers was boldly designed, slathered in what Ms. Gottlieb describes as Palio colors — reds, purples and turquoises — and furnished with artifacts from around the world.

From New York Times ● Dec. 9, 2012

I search the landscape for yellows, oranges, pinks, or turquoises like in my beloved Port-au-Prince.

From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi

Related Words

• aquamarine