amethyst

noun

am·​e·​thyst ˈa-mə-thəst 

-(ˌ)thist

1

a

: a clear purple or bluish-violet variety of crystallized quartz that is often used as a jeweler's stone

b

: a deep purple variety of corundum

2

: a moderate purple

amethystine

ˌa-mə-ˈthi-stən 

adjective

Did you know?

Gems were once believed to have magical qualities. An amethyst, for example, was supposed to have the power to prevent or cure drunkenness in its wearer. For this reason the Greeks gave it the name amethystos, which comes from the prefix a-, meaning “not,” and methyein “to be drunk.”

Examples of amethyst in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sticking to the brand’s core principles of helping people embrace beauty and taking care of our skin and soul from the inside out, this skincare-makeup hybrid features amethyst crystal, which heightens creativity, intuition, and spirituality. —Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025

The gallery is home to the royal collection of hardstone vessels, which include a variety of treasures carved from minerals like agate, amethyst and jade. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025

In the late 2010s, emerald, royal blue, and amethyst velvets were the moment, but not anymore. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025

Whom better to trust with your amethyst, aquamarine, pink morganite, and oro-verde peridot than Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons? —Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English amatiste, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin amethystus, from Greek amethystos, literally, remedy against drunkenness, from a- + methyein to be drunk, from methy wine — more at mead

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

amethyst

noun

am·​e·​thyst ˈam-ə-thəst 

-(ˌ)thist

1

: a clear purple or bluish violet variety of crystallized quartz used as a gem

2

: a medium purple

Etymology

Middle English amatiste "amethyst," from early French amatiste and Latin amethystus (both with the same meaning), from Greek amethystos, literally "remedy against drunkenness," from a- "not" and methyein "to be drunk," from methy "wine"

Word Origin

Gems were once believed to have magical qualities. An amethyst, for example, was supposed to have the power to prevent or cure drunkenness in its wearer. For this reason the Greeks gave it the name amethystos, which comes from the prefix a-, meaning "not," and methyein "to be drunk."