turquoise

C2 Topic:Materials & Substances

US /ˈtɝ.k(w)ɔɪz/ UK /ˈtɜː(ɹ).k(w)ɔɪz/ See IPA manual

Freq #25936

Meanings

1

noun
an opaque blue-green mineral containing hydrated copper and aluminium phosphate, valued as a gemstone

The jeweller set a polished turquoise in the centre of the silver brooch.
2

noun
a greenish-blue colour resembling the gemstone

The sea changed from deep blue to turquoise near the reef.
3

adj
having a greenish-blue colour

She chose a turquoise scarf to brighten the dark coat.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · an opaque blue-green... turquoise stone

2 noun · a greenish-blue colour... blue-greengreenish blue

3 adj · having a greenish-blue colour blue-greengreenish-blue

Word family

Forms turquoises

Derived forms turquoisesturquoise-blueturquoiselike

Related forms gemstonecopperazurite

Etymology

From Middle French turquoise, short for pierre turquoise, 'Turkish stone,' because Persian turquoise reached western Europe through Turkish trading routes. The colour name developed from the characteristic blue-green gemstone.

Topics

Materials & Substances

External links

# turquoise

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun, adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈtɝ.k(w)ɔɪz/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈtɜː(ɹ).k(w)ɔɪz/
**Frequency rank:** 25936

## Meanings
1. an opaque blue-green mineral containing hydrated copper and aluminium phosphate, valued as a gemstone
2. a greenish-blue colour resembling the gemstone
3. having a greenish-blue colour

## Examples
- The jeweller set a polished turquoise in the centre of the silver brooch.
- The sea changed from deep blue to turquoise near the reef.
- She chose a turquoise scarf to brighten the dark coat.

## Synonyms
- blue-green
- greenish blue
- turquoise stone

## Derived Forms
- turquoises
- turquoise-blue
- turquoiselike

## Related Forms
- gemstone
- copper
- azurite

## Etymology
From Middle French turquoise, short for pierre turquoise, 'Turkish stone,' because Persian turquoise reached western Europe through Turkish trading routes. The colour name developed from the characteristic blue-green gemstone.

## Topics
- Materials & Substances

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