turquoise

noun

tur·​quoise ˈtər-ˌkȯiz How to pronounce turquoise (audio) -ˌkwȯiz How to pronounce turquoise (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One Baguette is covered in a kaleidoscopic geometric pattern of colorful beads; another resembles a tiny textile artwork in dusty pink, green, and turquoise. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026 One rises, then another, then seemingly all of them—great striped bulbs of crimson, lemon yellow, and turquoise drifting between the fairy chimneys as the first sunlight catches the dusty pink folds of the landscape. — Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 Their archaeological sites contain turquoise, southwestern-style pottery, and obsidian from hundreds of kilometers to the west. — ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026 On her left hand, the Grease actress also wore a statement ring featuring a large turquoise gemstone. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for turquoise

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of turquoise was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing turquoise

Browse Nearby Words

turps
turquoise
turquoiseberry
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Turquoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turquoise. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

turquoise

noun
tur·​quoise ˈtər-ˌk(w)ȯiz How to pronounce turquoise (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on turquoise

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about turquoise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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