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

The other three in the series featured a dark mother-of-pearl dial, a lapis lazuli dial and a turquoise dial. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Made from ground lapis lazuli, the paint was difficult and costly to produce. —Amanda Fortini, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025

All three were sold by Sotheby’s way above their initial estimate in 2018, 2020 and 2021, with the lapis lazuli hardstone example achieving a world record price of $3.2 million at Sotheby’s 2020 Hong Kong sale. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

My favorite take came from H. Moser & Cie., whose new Pop collection of minimalist wristwatches featured a truly offbeat selection of gems in contrasting pairings, including green jade with pink opal, lapis lazuli with lemon chrysoprase, and turquoise with coral. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 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