# ivory

/ˈaɪvɝi/ (US) · /ˈaɪvəɹˌi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ivory
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. animal tusks

noun · CEFR B2

the hard, white material that forms the tusks of animals like elephants.

For teachers: the hard, creamy-white dentin that comprises the tusks of elephants, walruses, and certain other mammals. Uncountable in this material sense.

- The museum displayed beautiful carvings made from ancient ivory.
- International trade in ivory has been strictly regulated for decades to protect elephant populations from poaching.

### 2. a color

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. piano keys

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

the white keys on a piano.

For teachers: 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'.

### 4. teeth

noun · CEFR C2 · Humorous · Slang

a humorous way to talk about your teeth.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. made of or colored like ivory

adjective · CEFR B2

made of ivory or having a creamy white color.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The old piano has keys made of real ivory.
- International laws now ban the trade of ivory to prevent the illegal hunting of elephants.
- The museum's collection includes several intricate figurines carved from ivory during the nineteenth century, highlighting a period before modern conservation efforts restricted the material's use.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.