Definition of CERULEAN

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Cerulean comes from the Latin word caeruleus, which means "dark blue" and is most likely from "caelum," the Latin word for "sky." An artist rendering a sky of blue in oils or watercolors might choose a tube of cerulean blue pigment. Birdwatchers in the eastern U.S. might look skyward and see a cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea). "Cerulean" is not the only color name that's closely associated with the sky. "Azure" (which ultimately comes from a Persian word for lapis lazuli, a rich blue stone) describes the color of a cloudless sky and can even be a noun meaning "the unclouded sky."

Examples of cerulean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Remember that iconic cerulean scene in The Devil Wears Prada? — Julyssa Lopez, Glamour, "This Iconic The Devil Wears Prada Moment Was Almost Totally Different," 20 Nov. 2018 Next came Dree Hemingway, her buzz cut colored a similar shade of roseate, while Ariela Soares's cerulean updo offered a pop art counter to the navy iteration that followed. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Hot Pink Hair! Printed Buzz Cuts! Punk is the New Pretty at London Fashion Week," 15 Sep. 2018 Beyond the sanctuary-like rooms, there’s lots to draw guests outward, like the pristine cerulean swimming—and snorkeling and diving—beach and three different sprawling azure pools. — Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, "Hollywood Gets New Los Cabos Getaway," 18 June 2018 The sky turns cerulean and is generally cloudless, and the air remains pleasantly balmy. — Steven Stolman, Town & Country, "What Palm Beach Is Like Now That Donald Trump Is Gone," 10 May 2017 Hefner wore a cerulean blue gown with cutouts and glitter accents, styling her hair in a loose, braided chignon. — Janine Puhak, Fox News, "Texas teens take prom photos at Whataburger," 23 May 2018 DJ Khaled, meanwhile, wore a bright cerulean suit and actually jumped on the red carpet, producing the kind of photos that normally require the coaxing and trickery of a bar mitzvah photographer. — Liz Raiss, GQ, "The Billboard Music Awards Are the Completely Nuts Style Night We Need," 21 May 2018 At the center of it all is that cerulean window of water. — Aaron Gulley, Outside Online, "Even Vagabonds Need a Home," 17 May 2018 Check out the best location in the region for seeing yellow-throated and cerulean warblers at the Brecksville Reservation. — James F. Mccarty, cleveland.com, "Celebrate the return of spring songbirds to NE Ohio with the 85th Annual Spring Bird Walks," 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cerulean.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.