turquoise blue

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities
US /ˈtɝː.kwɔɪz ˌbluː/ UK /ˈtɜː.kwɔɪz ˌbluː/
noun adj

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    a light greenish-blue color that is somewhat paler and bluer than typical turquoise

    A band of turquoise blue separated the pale sky from the darker sea.

  2. 2
    adj

    having a light greenish-blue color resembling a blue shade of turquoise

    The lagoon looked turquoise-blue in the noon sunlight.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · a light greenish-blue color... light turquoisegreenish blueblue-green
2 adj · having a light... light-turquoisegreenish-blueblue-green
Word family
Related forms turquoisecyanaquatealturquoise green

Etymology

A lexicalized shade name formed from turquoise and blue, recorded in English by the end of the eighteenth century. Turquoise came through French turquoise, shortened from pierre turquoise, 'Turkish stone,' because the Persian gemstone reached Europe through Turkey. The compound distinguishes a paler, bluer shade from average turquoise.

Topics

markdown

Send feedback

Optional — only if you'd like a reply.