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

With its promise of turquoise water, white-sand beaches, and warm breezes, the islands draw millions of American travelers every year. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2026

Comfort and plushness aside, the guest rooms have a neutral palette that does not take attention away from what’s waiting outside the room, either the turquoise-blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean or the property’s verdant green gardens. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026

Petry mentioned wearing head-to-toe neutrals such as dusty tans, plus adding pops of turquoise to give it that Western edge. —Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

Isabella, meanwhile, wore a long-sleeve turquoise shift with cream pumps. —Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 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