# turquoise

/ˈtɝkwɔɪz/ (US) · /tˈɜːkwɔɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/turquoise
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the color

adjective · CEFR B1

having a bright greenish-blue color.

For teachers: describing a hue that falls between blue and green on the visible spectrum.

- She wore a beautiful turquoise dress to the summer wedding.
- The tropical waters were a vibrant turquoise, contrasting sharply with the white sand of the remote island beach.

### 2. the gemstone

noun · CEFR B2

a blue-green stone that is often used to make jewelry.

For teachers: an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium, valued as a gemstone.

- The silver ring was set with a large piece of polished turquoise.
- Archaeologists discovered several ceremonial masks inlaid with turquoise and gold during the excavation of the ancient temple site.

### 3. the color name

noun · CEFR B1

the name of the greenish-blue color.

For teachers: the specific greenish-blue color itself, treated as an abstract noun.

- Turquoise is my favorite color because it reminds me of the ocean.
- The interior designer suggested using turquoise for the accent wall to create a calming yet modern atmosphere in the living room.

## Examples

- She wore a beautiful turquoise dress to the party.
- The island is famous for its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches that attract thousands of tourists.
- The artist used a vibrant turquoise pigment to highlight the contrast between the shallow coastal waters and the deep indigo of the open ocean.

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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.