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

The veined turquoise at the center is further elevated by the white diamonds on the hour markers, bezel, and lugs. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026

The styles range from vibrant turquoise and coral styles to sleek silver or metal versions, or even bolos made of abalone shells or petrified wood, too. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

The shape, while certainly short, was bolstered by three-dimensional bubbles, some silver, others a turquoise shade. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

The One Battle After Another star walked the turquoise carpet at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, in a creation from Zuhair Murad’s fall/winter 2026 couture collection that will haunt your dreams in the best way possible. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 27 Sep. 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