citrine

1 of 2

adjective

cit·​rine ˈsi-ˌtrīn 

: resembling a citron or lemon especially in color

citrine

2 of 2

noun

ci·​trine si-ˈtrēn 

: a semiprecious yellow stone resembling topaz and formed by heating a black quartz in order to change its color

Examples of citrine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Paella with yellow saffron, red peppers and clams could become citrine with ruby and black diamonds. —Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 May 2018

Inexpensive gemstones with a tint include morganites, aquamarines, amethysts, tourmaline, and citrine stones. —Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2018

Noun

There’s also a destination spa with eco-holistic therapies like the Desert Gemstone Ritual (amethyst and citrine stones to help heal sore muscles and increase energy flow) and five—yes, five—excellent restaurants. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026

The links are set with nearly 12 carats of diamonds, punctuated by large gemstones of various cuts and colors: citrines, rubellites, peridots, amethysts, topazes and spessartites. —Carol Besler, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, "brownish yellow, amber," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French citrin, citrine "citrus-colored," borrowed from Medieval Latin citrīnus, from Late Latin citrus "the citron tree Citrus medica" + Latin -īnus -ine entry 1 — more at citrus

Noun

borrowed from Middle French, going back to Old French, noun derivative from feminine of citrin "citrus-colored," borrowed from Medieval Latin citrīnus — more at citrine entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1571, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for citrine

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between