amber

1 of 2

noun

am·​ber ˈam-bər 

1

: a hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin that takes a fine polish and is used chiefly in making ornamental objects (such as beads)

2

: a variable color averaging a dark orange yellow

amber

2 of 2

adjective

1

: consisting of amber

2

: resembling amber

especially : having the color amber

Examples of amber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Those urban figures mean that many people think numbers are going up, whereas all Britain's breeding species are actually on the red or amber lists of the British Trust for Ornithology's Birds of Conservation Concern. —Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 9 July 2024

At its base are subtle, gourmand notes of patchouli and amber that will blend with your skin and help the fragrance fade nicely. —Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 14 June 2024

Adjective

Read Next World ‘Territorial’ creature — with ‘amber’ crown — found in Brazil trees. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 27 June 2024

The bird, adorned with a crown of amber feathers, is a northern silvery-cheeked antshrike — and a new species. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ambre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin ambra, from Arabic ʽanbar ambergris

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

amber

noun

am·​ber

ˈam-bər

1

: a hard yellowish partly transparent resin from trees long dead that can be highly polished and is used for ornamental objects (as beads)

2

: a dark orange yellow

amber adjective

Medical Definition

amber

noun

am·​ber ˈam-bər 

: a hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin that takes a fine polish and is used chiefly in making ornamental objects (as beads)

amber adjective