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

Tortuga sits on 1,300 feet of private beach with clean white sand and turquoise water. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026

Their designs played on the contrast between an irregular yellow gold element with geometric slices of turquoise, coral or lapis lazuli. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 9 June 2026

Snorkeling excursions, paddleboarding, sailing trips, and sandbar tours showcase the island’s famously clear turquoise waters and nearby coral reefs. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026

On the west coast, Sal Salis sits within the pristine wilderness of the UNESCO listed Cape Range National Park, where the rugged red ranges meet the turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef. —Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 6 June 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