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

For the second half of the trip, a 15-minute boat ride takes guests to the Gili Islands, an archipelago known for its pristine beaches and turquoise waters. — Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Located on the southwest coast of Crete, the beach’s calm, shallow waters are the kind of brilliant turquoise that seems almost too vivid to be real. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026

Others were more barren, with dusty volcanic rocks and jagged cliffs surrounding secluded turquoise coves. — Annie Daly, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

November Sags can choose from topaz, citrine, and tanzanite, while December babies will feel drawn to turquoise or zircon. — Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 7 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