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

Nike reports that this shirt’s ‘geometric lines celebrate the country's architecture, while the cool purples and icy turquoise evoke morning light over snowy landscapes’. —Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 June 2025

And Aaron Jah Stone has a busy summer to come, with a stop-off at that Arizona turquoise mine after Couture, before heading back to Europe for private sales with his international clientele in villas and on yachts in the Mediterranean. —Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

The Pacific Ocean subtly makes its way into the decor of the 167 guest rooms and suites, where rugs and table lamps in muted greens and turquoise evoke kelp forests, and fluffy robes feature green seashell prints. —Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025

In the summer months, turquoise pools bloom on the glacier’s surface and the boom of far-off avalanches thunders across the white wilderness. —Chloe Berge, Outside Online, 17 June 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