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

There, Patagonia stretches out into wide skies, windswept pampas, turquoise lakes, and towering ice fields. —Eric Sheets, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025

For example, Canaima National Park in Salto Angel is home to the world's tallest uninterrupted waterfall, and Los Roqyes Archipelago is touted for its white sand and turquoise waters. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025

Located on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula along the Caribbean Sea, Cancun is known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and many other attractions. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 4 Dec. 2025

On Saturday, Leo went to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, a 17th-century place of worship considered an Ottoman-era architectural masterpiece, with turquoise ceramic tiles adorning its walls and dome. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025

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