lapis lazuli

noun

la·​pis la·​zu·​li ˌla-pəs-ˈla-zə-lē 

-ˈla-zhə-

: a semiprecious stone that is usually rich azure blue and is essentially a complex silicate often with spangles of pyrites

called also lapis

Examples of lapis lazuli in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It was generally made of a precious or semiprecious stone such as lapis lazuli, agate or chalcedony. —Serdar Yalçin, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2025

Silver bracelets of Queen Hetepheres inlaid with turquoise, lapis lazuli and carnelian in a chest covered with gold leaf. —Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025

Made of bronze and semiprecious stones like jasper, agate silver and lapis lazuli, these small, sculptural pieces are meant to enhance the rituals of everyday life. —Kathy Lee, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025

It was made of gold and strung with beads made of lapis lazuli, a blue stone prized in antiquity. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin lapis + Medieval Latin lazuli, genitive of lazulum lapis lazuli, from Arabic lāzaward — more at azure

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lapis lazuli

• bernoulli
• unduly
• unruly
• cooley
• coolly
• cooly
• coulee
• cruelly
• duly
• hooley
• muley
• newly

Kids Definition

lapis lazuli

noun

la·​pis la·​zu·​li ˌlap-ə-ˈslazh-ə-lē 

-ˈslaz-

: a deep blue gemstone