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

Where to stay On the main island of Onna, 355-room Halekulani Okinawa faces a mile of sparkling turquoise waters and is steps away from Busena Marine Park, the only underwater observatory tower in Okinawa. —Kristin Braswell, AFAR Media, 7 Oct. 2025

Once October and November hit, the cypress trees that line both sides of the river light up in shades or orange and red, striking a sharp contrast against the turquoise water and the green in the rest of the valley. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025

In the late afternoon sun, the turquoise surface of Maligne Lake shimmers like an alpine mirage. —Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025

The newest variant has a turquoise-blue lacquer dial, contrasted with black subdials. —Carol Besler, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 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