# ruby

/ˈɹubi/ (US) · /ɹˈuːbi/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. gemstone

noun · CEFR B2

a valuable, clear, deep red stone used in jewelry.

For teachers: a precious variety of the mineral corundum, characterized by its deep red color and high value as a gemstone.

- The queen wore a stunning necklace with a large ruby in the center.
- The jeweler examined the ruby under a loupe to check for natural inclusions that would verify its origin.

### 2. color

noun · CEFR B2

a dark, rich red color.

For teachers: a deep, vibrant shade of red resembling the gemstone.

- The curtains were a rich ruby that matched the carpet perfectly.
- The sunset painted the clouds in shades of ruby and gold as the light faded.

### 3. pronunciation guide

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

small characters written above or beside Chinese or Japanese text to show how to say them.

For teachers: small, annotative characters placed above or beside logographic characters in East Asian typography to indicate pronunciation.

- The children's book used ruby text to help students read difficult characters.
- Modern web browsers support the ruby element, allowing for the correct display of phonetic annotations in Japanese text.

### 4. curry

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Slang · Informal

a slang word for a curry meal.

For teachers: a slang term for a curry, derived from the Cockney rhyming slang 'Ruby Murray'.

- Do you want to go out for a ruby tonight?
- After the football match, the group headed to the local Indian restaurant for a ruby.

Teaching tip: This is specific to British English and is based on the name of a famous singer, Ruby Murray.

### 5. color description

adjective · CEFR B2

having a deep red color.

For teachers: having the deep red color characteristic of a ruby.

- She sipped the ruby wine and enjoyed the quiet evening.
- The bird's ruby throat shimmered whenever it moved into the direct sunlight.

### 6. to make red

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to make something turn red.

For teachers: to impart a red color to something; to redden.

- The setting sun rubied the mountain peaks.
- The evening light rubied the surface of the lake, creating a dramatic contrast with the dark trees.

## Examples

- She wore a beautiful ring with a large ruby in the center.
- The museum's collection includes a famous ruby that once belonged to a royal family.
- Geologists identify the ruby as a variety of the mineral corundum, distinguished from sapphire solely by its vibrant red hue and specific chemical impurities.

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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.