marmoreal

adjective

mar·​mo·​re·​al mär-ˈmȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce marmoreal (audio)
variants or less commonly marmorean
: of, relating to, or suggestive of marble or a marble statue especially in coldness or aloofness
marmoreally 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

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

Word History

Etymology

Latin marmoreus, from marmor marble

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of marmoreal was in 1656

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Dictionary Entries Near marmoreal

Cite this Entry

“Marmoreal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marmoreal. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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