turquoise

noun

tur·​quoise ˈtər-ˌkȯiz  -ˌkwȯiz 

variants or less commonly turquois

1

: a mineral that is a blue, bluish-green, or greenish-gray hydrous basic phosphate of copper and aluminum, takes a high polish, and is valued as a gem when sky blue

2

: a light greenish blue

Examples of turquoise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Snorkel in subterranean rivers, swim with dolphins (for an extra fee, with reservations), duck at the sound of macaws screeching overhead, wander through a Day of the Dead display, and swing in a hammock beside a turquoise cove. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026

Dressed in a studded black leather vest and pants cloaked in fringe with a turquoise necklace and bracelet, Ink shone underneath the afternoon sun. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2026

The water may be freezing year-round, but the fine-grain texture of the sand is heavenly for long walks alongside its turquoise waters. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026

The Queen wore a feather in her cap and a turquoise outfit while visiting the set of Coronation Street — the world's longest-running soap opera still in production — in July 2021. —Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English turkeys, from Anglo-French turkeise, from feminine of turkeis Turkish, from Turc Turk

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing turquoise

• turquoise blue
• turquoise green

Kids Definition

turquoise

noun

tur·​quoise ˈtər-ˌk(w)ȯiz 

1

: a blue, bluish green, or greenish gray mineral that contains copper and aluminum, takes a high polish, and is used in jewelry

2

: a light greenish blue

Etymology

Middle English turkeys "turquoise," from early French turkeise (same meaning), derived from turkeis, literally "Turkish (stone)"; so called because it was first brought to Europe from a part of Turkey