turquoise

noun

tur·​quoise ˈtər-ˌkȯiz  -ˌkwȯiz 

variants or less commonly turquois

1

: a mineral that is a blue, bluish-green, or greenish-gray hydrous basic phosphate of copper and aluminum, takes a high polish, and is valued as a gem when sky blue

2

: a light greenish blue

Examples of turquoise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rent a little boat, find a cala with turquoise water, and spend an afternoon where the soundtrack is cicadas rather than a DJ warming up. — Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026

The skull is decorated with turquoise, quartz and jadeite, applied in a mosaic-like tesserae that forms a snake design. — News Desk, Artforum, 18 Aug. 2026

Neon Dreams Like the sun and surf, turquoise and glitter are a natural duo. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Aug. 2026

Valentino contrasted gray pinstripes with turquoise Rockstud pumps, while at Carven, a cherry red flip-flop broke up a monochromatic black look. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English turkeys, from Anglo-French turkeise, from feminine of turkeis Turkish, from Turc Turk

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing turquoise

• turquoise blue
• turquoise green

Kids Definition

turquoise

noun

tur·​quoise ˈtər-ˌk(w)ȯiz 

1

: a blue, bluish green, or greenish gray mineral that contains copper and aluminum, takes a high polish, and is used in jewelry

2

: a light greenish blue

Etymology

Middle English turkeys "turquoise," from early French turkeise (same meaning), derived from turkeis, literally "Turkish (stone)"; so called because it was first brought to Europe from a part of Turkey