aquamarine

noun

aqua·​ma·​rine ˌä-kwə-mə-ˈrēn 

ˌa-

1

: a transparent blue, blue-green, or green variety of beryl used as a gem

2

: a pale blue to light greenish blue

Did you know?

Aquamarine Has Latin Roots

Aqua marina * is Latin for "seawater", so when a lovely blue-green form of the semiprecious gem known as beryl was given an English name several centuries ago, *aquamarine seemed appropriate. Aquamarine is the ideal color that most of us carry around in our heads when we imagine the waters that lap the shores of the Greek and Caribbean islands on a sunny day. But even the Mediterranean and the Caribbean can take on lots of other colors depending on weather conditions.

Examples of aquamarine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Similarly, the leather interior, which is inspired by 1950s and ‘60s car design, can be finished in biscuit or the traditional aquamarine and white (pictured). —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2025

The Queen was gifted a dazzling aquamarine and diamond necklace and earrings from the president of Brazil in honor of her coronation in 1953, and the tiara made the parure complete. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025

Soft breezes ripple through the sea grapes, and sunlight glints off the aquamarine shallows that surround Bahia Honda State Park. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2025

Curated by designer John Galliano, and sourced from Happy Isles, the gown was crafted with soft pink satin and adorned with small gemstones in various shades of pink, red and aquamarine on the bodice and skirt. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin aqua marina, from Latin, sea water

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aquamarine

• acetylene
• adenosine
• amphetamine
• anthropocene
• antipyrine
• apomorphine
• apoprotein
• arsphenamine
• azobenzene
• buprenorphine
• chlorobenzene
• chlorpromazine

Kids Definition

aquamarine

noun

aqua·​ma·​rine ˌak-wə-mə-ˈrēn 

ˌäk-

1

: a transparent beryl that is blue, blue-green, or green

2

: a pale blue to light greenish blue