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 busiest people on a fairly frantic show are arguably lighting designer Howard Hudson and his team who illuminate the action with everything from super-saturated neon-style lines and chase effects to isolating laser shapes and intense washes of turquoise and purple. —David Benedict, Variety, 30 June 2024

Blue comes in so many gorgeous shades from pale turquoise to rich cornflower, that it can easily be infused into your décor plans. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 26 June 2024

Baker then removed the turquoise stripe, replacing it for blue, the History Channel reports. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 7 June 2024

Aside from its striking, tranquil color, turquoise is also said to bring strength, power, luck and protection to whoever wears it; and who wouldn’t want that? —Thomas Waller, WWD, 14 June 2024

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