Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

lapis lazuli

play
noun la·pis la·zu·li \ˌla-pəs-ˈla-zə-lē, -ˈla-zhə-\

Definition of lapis lazuli

  1. :  a semiprecious stone that is usually rich azure blue and is essentially a complex silicate often with spangles of pyrites —called also lapis

See lapis lazuli defined for English-language learners

See lapis lazuli defined for kids

Read the Latest from M-W

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066
alt-597233d35a146
Trending: 'Scaramouch,' Scaramucci Possibly to Fandango
image386126722
Words That Come From the Dinner Table
alt-59721dd897313
The 'Best' Way to Sign Off On An E-mail

Origin and Etymology of lapis lazuli

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin lapis + Medieval Latin lazuli, genitive of lazulum lapis lazuli, from Arabic lāzaward — more at azure

LAPIS LAZULI Defined for English Language Learners

lapis lazuli

play
noun

Definition of lapis lazuli for English Language Learners

  • : a deep blue stone that is used in jewelry

Learn More about lapis lazuli

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lapis lazuli

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lapis lazuli? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

tare

play

the weight of a container

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. scaramouch A new White House communications director

  2. non sequitur “It does not follow”

  3. admiral's mast A massive search ends with an 'admiral's mast'.

  4. calumny 'An untrue statement that is made to damage someone's reputation'

  5. kakistocracy Frustrated Twitter users have been searching for this word.

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

lapis lazuli

Test Your Vocabulary

The Emoji Quiz

  • emoji-the-quiz
  • What phase of the moon is this: 🌖 ?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-59721dd897313
The 'Best' Way to Sign Off On An E-mail

Give them your best

image386126722
Words and Phrases That Come from the Dinner Table

Fill your plate with these surprising food words

ghost-being-disinvited-from-party
'Disinvite' or 'Uninvite'?

A disinvited guest is an uninvited problem

alt-596f730ceb5ae
Words We're Watching: 'Scoby'

Kombucha lovers unite.

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

payday
How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

emoji-the-quiz
The Emoji Quiz

Think you’re an emoji 👓 expert? Let’s see 🤔

Take the quiz
image941935269
A Game of Thrones Word Quiz

In the Game of Thrones quiz, you learn some new vocabulary. (It’s quite safe, really. You will not die.)

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game