ENGLISH
REFERENCE

turquoise

adj.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈtɝkwɔɪz// UK //tˈɜːkwɔɪs// turquoise

adj. having a bright blue-green color. You use this to describe things that look like the color of clear tropical water.

adj. of a greenish-blue color, resembling the gemstone of the same name. Often used to describe tropical waters or decorative objects.


SIMPLE

She wore a beautiful turquoise dress to the party.

CONTEXTUAL

The island is famous for its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches that attract thousands of tourists.

COMPLEX

The artist used a vibrant turquoise pigment to highlight the contrast between the shallow coastal waters and the deep indigo of the open ocean.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle French turquoise, from Old French (pierre) turquoise (“Turkish (stone)”), from turc + -ois. The stone, mined near Nishapur in the Khorasan region of Persia, was originally brought to Europe through Turkey. Doublet of Turkish.

Usage

Often used as a color adjective before a noun; can also be used as a noun to refer to the gemstone itself.

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