agate

noun

ag·​ate ˈa-gət 

often attributive

1

: a fine-grained variegated chalcedony having its colors arranged in stripes, blended in clouds, or showing mosslike forms

2

: something made of or fitted with agate: such as

a

: a drawplate used by gold-wire drawers

b

: a playing marble of agate

3

a

: a size of type approximately 5¹/₂ point

b

: condensed information (such as advertisements or box scores) set especially in agate type

Examples of agate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Known for its abundance of agates found along the Pacific Ocean beach between Newport and Yaquina Head, Agate Beach is a popular spot for agate hunting, as well as other activities like clamming, surfing and wildlife viewing. —Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Ananya Malhotra, founder of her namesake jewelry brand Ananya, believes that gemstones possess healing properties; her designs incorporate a luminous brown agate, known as Sulemani Aqeeq, which is said to bring joy and balance. —Milena Lazazzera, CNN Money, 29 May 2025

Minnesota’s shores promise scenic beauty and adventure, from boating and fishing to hiking and agate hunting. —Explore Minnesota, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025

To get to the BWCA, hop on Highway 61, stop at Knife River, and collect a few intricately detailed agates that wash ashore as souvenirs. —Explore Minnesota, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English achates, accate, agaten, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French achate, agathe, borrowed from Latin achātēs, borrowed from Greek achā́tēs, of uncertain origin

Note: According to Theophrastus and Pliny, the stone was named after a river in Sicily. Modern etymologists seem disinclined to believe this and suggest that the river was named after the stone. The voiced stop in the medieval French forms, which has become the dominant form in Modern French and English, begins to appear in Medieval Latin, and may be owed to Medieval Latin agapis, a word of obscure origin used for both the agate and lapis lazuli; it has been suggested that agapis is itself a distortion of achates (crossed with Latin lapis "stone"?), though this is far from clear.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing agate

• agate line
• agate ware
• moss agate

Rhymes for agate

• fagot
• maggot

Kids Definition

agate

noun

ag·​ate ˈag-ət 

1

: a smooth-looking quartz having its colors arranged in stripes or forms that look like clouds or moss

2

: a playing marble of agate or glass