marmoreal

adjective

mar·​mo·​re·​al mär-ˈmȯr-ē-əl 

variants or less commonly marmorean

mär-ˈmȯr-ē-ən 

: of, relating to, or suggestive of marble or a marble statue especially in coldness or aloofness

marmoreally

mär-ˈmȯr-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

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When Should You Use marmoreal?

Most marble-related words in English were chiseled from the Latin noun marmor, meaning "marble." Marmor gave our language the word marble itself in the 12th century. It is also the parent of marmoreal, which has been used in English since the mid-1600s. Marbleize, another marmor descendant, came later, making its print debut around 1854. The obscure adjective marmorate, meaning "veined like marble," dates to the 16th century and hasn't seen much use since.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

And despite the sheen of sweat on her face, Rybakina’s smooth, cool demeanor gave her a marmoreal look. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2023

The marmoreal cool of Debbie Harry and the band's razor-sharp duds plastered across TV screens helped define the nascent new wave genre, which would set the tone for many a mallrat's wardrobe. —Billboard Staff, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2020

Then there’s the marmoreal serenity of the shoulder lines. —Dan Neil, WSJ, 9 Mar. 2018

Then there’s the marmoreal serenity of the shoulder lines. —Dan Neil, WSJ, 9 Mar. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Latin marmoreus, from marmor marble

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

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