mineralogy

1 of 2

noun

min·​er·​al·​o·​gy ˌmi-nə-ˈrä-lə-jē  -ˈra- 

1

: a science dealing with minerals, their crystallography, properties, classification, and the ways of distinguishing them

2

: the mineralogical characteristics of an area, a rock, or a rock formation

mineralogical

ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

ˌmin-rə-

adjective

or less commonly mineralogic

ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-jik 

ˌmin-rə-

mineralogically

ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

ˌmin-rə-

adverb

mineralogist

ˌmi-nə-ˈrä-lə-jist  -ˈra- 

noun

mineralogical

2 of 2

adjective

min·​er·​al·​og·​i·​cal ¦min(ə)rə¦läjə̇kəl 

-jēk-

variants or less commonly mineralogic

-jik 

-jēk

: of or relating to mineralogy

a mineralogical table

mineralogical chemistry

mineralogical changes

Examples of mineralogy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The discovery adds momentum to a growing field of lunar mineralogy. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026

But Charnoz argues this may merely reflect how the cooling process sets the basic mineralogy of these primitive meteorites, followed by later processes, such as heating, evaporation or water circulation, giving the final touches to their mineralogy. —Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026

The Earth Science Club promotes interests in geology, paleontology, mineralogy and archaeology. —Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

Future James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of this disk could allow researchers to determine its mineralogy and constrain its total mass, which will provide further clues as to the nature of the object that the white dwarf has destroyed. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from New Latin *mineralogia, irregular from Medieval Latin minerale + Latin -logia -logy

Adjective

mineralogical from mineralogy + -ical; mineralogic probably from French minéralogique, from minéralogie (probably from English mineralogy) + -ique -ic

First Known Use

Noun

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mineralogy

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

mineralogy

noun

min·​er·​al·​o·​gy ˌmin-ə-ˈräl-ə-jē  -ˈral- 

: a science dealing with the characteristics and classification of minerals

mineralogical

ˌmin-(ə-)rə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

mineralogically

-ˈläj-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

mineralogist

ˌmin-ə-ˈräl-ə-jəst  -ˈral- 

noun