turquoise

[tur-koiz, -kwoiz]

noun

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.

turquoise

/ -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

turquoise

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of turquoise¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of turquoise¹

C14: from Old French turqueise Turkish (stone)

Example Sentences

The color scheme glides from monochrome in the morning to various shades of blue in the afternoon, a backdrop to blindingly white icebergs, their seawashed cavities a bright turquoise.

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It is decorated with thousands of blue and turquoise ceramic tiles and receives millions of visitors each year.

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The golden hare, given the name Jack, is set with a ruby eye and a body design that includes flowhead motifs, each set with turquoise.

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The green light from the floor makes his dark skin look turquoise.

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The skies were clear and turquoise blue as the Freedom 7 sat atop Launch Pad 5 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

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Related Words

• aquamarine 

When To Use

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.