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

The former is caused by manganese garnet sediment and quartz that wash down from nearby cliffs, giving the sand an amethyst-like radiance. —Alanna Bennett, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026

A lot of technical challenges followed suit in the two-years-in-the-making collection, from mastering the right scale and proportions to fine-tuning the hand-applications, pavé settings and inlays of colored stones including amethyst, tiger’s eye, mother of pearl and malachite. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026

Express amethyst energy simply with a high-shine plum manicure that reflects the gemstone's beauty. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026

Also included is a blinding arrangement of 27 large Australian South Sea baroque pearls, with white and brown diamonds and a mix of blue, pink and purple sapphires, along with pink tourmalines, amethysts and rubellites piling on the sparkle. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English amatiste, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin amethystus, borrowed from Greek améthyston or améthystos "something (as a kind of herb or a purple gemstone) thought to prevent drunkenness," noun derivative of améthystos "not inebriated," from a- a- entry 2 + -methystos, verbal adjective of methýein "to be inebriated," derivative of méthy "wine" — more at mead entry 1

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."