sapphire

noun sap·phire \ ˈsa-ˌfī(-ə)r \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Definition of sapphire

1 a : a gem variety of corundum in transparent or translucent crystals of a color other than red; especially : one of a transparent rich blue

b : a gem of such corundum

2 : a deep purplish-blue color

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sapphire

adjective

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Recent Examples of sapphire from the Web

My colleague, Zach Berman, wrote about the design of each ring: The ring is made of pure 10-karat white gold, with a total of 219 diamond and 17 green sapphires, according to the team’s website.

— michael boren, Philly.com, "Fake Super Bowl rings for Eagles, other teams seized by federal authorities," 3 July 2018
Her pink sapphire and diamond engagement ring also made an appearance.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Princess Eugenie's Royal Ascot Outfit Foreshadowed Her Upcoming Royal Wedding," 19 June 2018
For jewelry, Meggie wore diamond earrings from Betteridge, where the couple’s wedding bands and the bride’s engagement ring are also from, and a sapphire and diamond pinkie ring, which Ian had given her for Christmas, as her something blue.

— alexandra macon, Vogue, "Meggie Kempner’s Gorgeous Garden Wedding in Beverly Hills," 24 May 2018
Prince William popped the big question in 2010 with an iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring that once belonged to his mother, the late Princess Diana.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "Prince William and Kate Middleton Mark 7 Years of Marriage with Sweet Throwback Photo," 29 Apr. 2018
The products came in delicious-sounding fruit colors like raspberry and orange or expensive-sounding gem tones like sapphire and frosted crystal.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "The Story of Brownie Wise, the Ingenious Marketer Behind the Tupperware Party," 11 Apr. 2018
Mulroney accessorized the look with a navy blue fascinator, nude Christian Louboutin pumps (left), and a pair of sapphire drop earrings by Birks, a Canadian jewelry designer.

— lindsay silberman, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle's Best Friend Jessica Mulroney Looks Absolutely Stunning at the Royal Wedding," 19 May 2018
There are four green sapphires for the team’s four NFL championships.

— michael boren, Philly.com, "Fake Super Bowl rings for Eagles, other teams seized by federal authorities," 3 July 2018
The ring features a padparadscha sapphire and is surrounded by diamonds, and looks very similar to the ring that her father, Prince Andrew, used to propose to her mother.

— temi adebowale, Town & Country, "A Definitive History of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's Relationship," 2 July 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of sapphire

Middle English safir, from Anglo-French, from Latin sapphirus, from Greek sappheiros, perhaps of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew sappīr sapphire

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year