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 best way to make a turquoise stone look is by picking your best turquoise color, adding some wiggly lines and blending them into the turquoise a little bit then adding some more definitive black lines on top to add an extra detailed layer. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Apr. 2025

Mountains and lush foliage become bright red or pink, water turns a deep turquoise and skies take on eye-popping hues not typically seen in nature. —Leslie Katz, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

The Danish Royal House confirmed that Queen Margrethe, 85, gave Princess Isabella the diadem with turquoise and diamonds on the occasion of her 18th birthday. —Janine Henni, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The death chamber is nine feet by twelve feet, painted a bilious turquoise. —Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

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