ivory

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. a creamy white color, like the color of an elephant's tusk.

n. a specific shade of off-white with a slight yellow or cream undertone.

“The bride chose a dress in ivory rather than pure white.”

“The interior designer recommended ivory for the walls to create a warmer atmosphere than a stark clinical white would provide.”

C1 · Advanced Plural noun Music Informal

n. the white keys on a piano.

n. a metonymic reference to the keys of a piano, traditionally made from ivory. Usually plural.

“He sat down at the grand piano and began to tickle the ivories.”

“Although modern pianos use synthetic materials, jazz musicians still colloquially refer to playing as 'tickling the ivories'.”

C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Humorous · Slang

n. a humorous way to talk about your teeth.

n. a humorous or slang metonym for human teeth.

“The boxer flashed his pearly ivories in a wide grin after the match.”

“The old sailor grinned, revealing a set of ivories that had seen better days.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. made of ivory or having a creamy white color.

adj. composed of ivory or possessing the characteristic off-white hue of the material.

“She wore an ivory silk scarf that matched her coat perfectly.”

“The antique chest featured intricate ivory inlays depicting scenes from classical mythology.”