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 Hotel to Book The new Ocama, which opened in December, is a villa-only boutique retreat tucked into the lush tip of the Samaná Peninsula, overlooking the perfectly turquoise Rincón Bay. —Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026

During this four- to five-mile run—depending on your exact starting point—sights will include gorgeous homes, turquoise waters, lovely city parks, and perhaps even some humpback whale sightings. —Kristine Thomason, Outside, 9 Mar. 2026

This golden strip of sand, fringed by turquoise waters, is part of the popular Abel Tasman National Park on Tasman Bay (also known as Te Tai-o-Aorere) at the top of the South Island. —Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

From the '60s to the '80s, shades like avocado green, emerald, navy, and even bright turquoise were all the rage. —Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 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