What is turquoise? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of turquoise in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of turquoise

turquoisenoun
(màu) xanh ngọc
/ˈtəːkwɔɪz//ˈtəːkwɑːz/

Definition & pronunciation of <strong>turquoise</strong>

Where does the word turquoise come from?

The word "turquoise" has a fascinating history. It is derived from the French word "turquoise," which is itself borrowed from the Persian word "turkiz," meaning "Turkish stone." This refers to the fact that the mineral was highly prized in the Middle East and was traded extensively along the Silk Road by Turkish merchants. The word "turkiz" is further derived from the Turkish word "トルکز" (turkuaz), which means "Turkish blue," due to the mineral's vibrant blue-green color. Over time, the spelling of the word was adapted into French as "turquoise" and then into English, where it has retained its original meaning to describe the beautiful, semi-precious stone.

Vocabulary summary turquoise

type noun

meaning turquoise

meaning turquoise ((also) turquoise blue)

Example of vocabulary turquoisenamespace

a blue or blue-green semi-precious stone

a turquoise brooch
The glass vase on the coffee table was a vibrant shade of turquoise that caught the eye as soon as you entered the room.
The tropical fish in the aquarium sparkled in their turquoise tanks, mesmerizing everyone who passed by.
She paired her navy blue blouse with a flowy turquoise scarf that added a pop of color to her outfit.
The ocean waves lapped against the shore, shimmering in a soft turquoise hue under the warm sun.

a blue-green colour