verdigris

noun

ver·​di·​gris ˈvər-də-ˌgrēs  -ˌgris 

-grəs,

 also  -ˌgrē

1

a

: a green or greenish-blue poisonous pigment resulting from the action of acetic acid on copper and consisting of one or more basic copper acetates

b

: normal copper acetate Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂·H₂O

2

: a green or bluish deposit especially of copper carbonates formed on copper, brass, or bronze surfaces

Did you know?

“Green of Greece”—that is the literal translation of vert de Grece, the Anglo-French phrase from which we get the modern word verdigris. A coating of verdigris forms naturally on copper and copper alloys such as brass and bronze when those metals are exposed to air. (It can also be produced artificially.) Like cinnabar, fuchsia, and amaranth before it, however, verdigris is also seeing increased use as a color name that can be applied to anything suggestive of its particular hue. For more colorful history you might enjoy this article before testing your knowledge with a quiz.

Examples of verdigris in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With plenty of time to pay homage to Elphaba’s verdigris ahead of Wicked: For Good, Cynthia Erivo channeled the queen of hearts with her black and red Givenchy gown. —Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019

This material resists corrosion without verdigris oxidation, ensuring slow aging and a lasting patina. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025

The cayos—or keys—are plops of milky sand ringed by bright verdigris; the waters are roaming territory for squid, turtles, pelicans, and iguanas. —Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Dec. 2024

With its gorgeous light-verdigris hue, Chamaerops humilis cerifera is originally from Morocco and known for its hardiness. —Deanna Kizis, Sunset Magazine, 15 Mar. 2022

In Pessin’s home office, tucked into a nook under his staircase, there’s a verdigris Jean Prouvé-esque desk beneath a wall-hugging facsimile of a geometric Frank Stella painting. —New York Times, 25 Nov. 2021

But the chloroplasts swathe large portions of their flat, billowy bodies in a startling verdigris. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 Sep. 2021

It’s 22-by-17 feet dominated by a large curving island of the verdigris marble. —Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2020

It was inspired by the verdigris tones of a historic building across the street and the pale blush of another local landmark. —Jane Margolies, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vertegrese, borrowed from Anglo-French verdegrece, vert de Grece, literally, "green of Greece"

Note: The current form reflects French vert-de-gris, with the final syllable assimilated to gris "gray."

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Medical Definition

verdigris

noun

ver·​di·​gris

ˈvərd-ə-ˌgrēs, -ˌgris, -grəs also -ˌgrē

: a green or greenish blue poisonous pigment resulting from the action of acetic acid on copper, consisting of one or more basic copper acetates, and formerly used in medicine

Geographical Definition

Verdigris

geographical name

Ver·​di·​gris ˈvər-də-grəs 

river 351 miles (565 kilometers) long in southeastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma flowing into the Arkansas River