English Reference
noun · adjective · verb

diamond

n. · adj. · v.
US /ˈdaɪmənd/ UK /dˈaɪəmənd/ di·a·mond UK spelling diamond's, diamond's, diamonding

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.a very hard, bright, and expensive stone used in rings and other jewellery.

    n.a precious gemstone consisting of a clear, colourless crystalline form of pure carbon, noted for its extreme hardness and high refractive index.

    Simple

    He saved for months to buy a beautiful diamond engagement ring.

    In context

    The crown jewels feature a massive, uncut diamond that has been part of the royal collection for centuries.

    gemjewelsparkler
  2. 02 B1 Intermediate Math

    n.a shape with four straight sides of the same length, usually standing on one of its points.

    n.a plane figure with four equal sides and two acute and two obtuse angles; a rhombus.

    Simple

    The road sign was a yellow diamond with a black arrow in the middle.

    In context

    The pattern on the floor consisted of alternating black and white diamond tiles, creating a striking visual effect in the hallway.

    rhombuslozenge
  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    n.one of the four groups in a pack of cards, shown by a red diamond shape.

    n.one of the four suits of playing cards, represented by a red lozenge-shaped symbol.

    Simple

    I have the ace of diamonds in my hand, so I might win this round.

    In context

    The player discarded a low diamond, hoping to draw out the opponent's higher cards from the same suit.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate American English Sport

    n.the area of a baseball field where the game is played.

    n.the entire field of play in baseball, or specifically the square area formed by the four bases.

    Simple

    The players ran onto the diamond as the crowd started to cheer.

    In context

    Heavy rain overnight left the diamond too muddy for the championship game to proceed as scheduled.

  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.used to describe the 60th anniversary of an important event, like a wedding.

    adj.relating to or denoting the sixtieth anniversary of a significant event, such as a wedding or a monarch's reign.

    Simple

    The couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with their whole family.

    In context

    The city organised a grand parade to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee, celebrating sixty years of her service.

  6. 06 C1 Advanced British EnglishSlangInformal

    adj.very good or high quality.

    adj.denoting high quality, excellence, or reliability.

    Simple

    Thanks for helping me move house; you're a diamond.

    In context

    He's a diamond of a colleague, always willing to stay late when the rest of the team is struggling with a deadline.

    excellentfirst ratebrilliant
  7. 07 C2 Proficiency TechnicalArchaic Computing

    n.a very small size of text used in old printing.

    n.a traditional size of type, approximately 4.5 points, positioned between brilliant and pearl.

    Simple

    The old prayer book was printed in diamond type, making it very hard to read.

    In context

    The compositor noted that the footnotes were set in diamond, a size rarely used in modern publishing due to legibility concerns.

  8. 08 C2 Proficiency Literary

    v.to decorate something with diamonds.

    v.to adorn or stud a surface with diamonds or diamond-like ornaments.

    Simple

    The morning dew diamonded the spider's web in the garden.

    In context

    The artisan diamonded the hilt of the ceremonial sword, ensuring it caught the light during the procession.

    adornbejewel

* As a female given name, from diamond (gemstone). * As a German surname, Anglicized form of Diamant. * As a Irish surname, Anglicized form of Irish Ó Diamáin.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin ga Ó Diamáin
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated