garnet

noun

gar·​net ˈgär-nət 

1

: a brittle and more or less transparent usually red silicate mineral that has a vitreous luster, occurs mainly in crystals but also in massive form and in grains, is found commonly in gneiss and mica schist, and is used as a semiprecious stone and as an abrasive

2

: a variable color averaging a dark red

garnetiferous

ˌgär-nə-ˈti-f(ə-)rəs 

adjective

Did you know?

The "Seedy" Origins of Garnet

The deep-red color of this gemstone reminded the French of a red-skinned fruit. In early French the fruit was called pomme grenate, which means “seedy apple.” This later became pomegranate in English. The early French word grenate, meaning “seedy,” is the source of the adjective grenat, meaning “red like a pomegranate.” This word was then used as a noun to refer to the deep-red gemstone. When borrowed into English, grenat became garnet.

Examples of garnet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Usually among the first flowers to bloom after Russia’s notoriously frigid winter, their tiny petals are carved from white quartz and sat on nephrite stems, with bright green garnets dotting their stamens. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025

As quince cooks, its flesh turns from wan white to a rich, glistening garnet. —Benjamin Kemper, Saveur, 26 Nov. 2025

Everyone’s month is available from January’s ruby-red garnet to December’s bright turquoise. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

With 34 seconds left in Saturday night’s homecoming shellacking of Wake Forest, Florida State president Richard McCullough and board of trustees chairperson Peter Collins bro-hugged in their garnet jackets just past the north end zone. —Matt Baker, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gernet, garnet, granat, borrowed from Anglo-French gernete, grenat, noun derivative of grenat "ruby-colored, red," probably after pome garnate pomegranate, with garnate taken to mean "red"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing garnet

• garnet paper

Rhymes for garnet

• carnet
• incarnate

Kids Definition

garnet

noun

gar·​net ˈgär-nət 

1

: a transparent usually red mineral used as a gem or for grinding, smoothing, or polishing

2

: a deep red color

Etymology

Middle English gernet "garnet," from early French gernete (same meaning), from gernet (adjective) "red like a pomegranate," from pomme gernete "pomegranate," literally, "seedy apple"; pomme from earlier pome "apple" and gernete derived from Latin granum "grain, seed" — related to grain, grenade, pomegranate

Word Origin

The garnet owes its name to its color. The deep red color of a garnet reminded the French of a red-skinned fruit. In early French the fruit was called pomme gernete, which means "seedy apple." This later became pomegranate in English. The early French word gernete, meaning "seedy," is the source of the adjective gernet, meaning "red like a pomegranate." This word was then used as a noun to mean the red gemstone. When borrowed into English, gernet became garnet.