aquamarine

noun

aqua·​ma·​rine ˌä-kwə-mə-ˈrēn 

ˌa-

1

: a transparent blue, blue-green, or green variety of beryl used as a gem

2

: a pale blue to light greenish blue

Did you know?

Aquamarine Has Latin Roots

Aqua marina * is Latin for "seawater", so when a lovely blue-green form of the semiprecious gem known as beryl was given an English name several centuries ago, *aquamarine seemed appropriate. Aquamarine is the ideal color that most of us carry around in our heads when we imagine the waters that lap the shores of the Greek and Caribbean islands on a sunny day. But even the Mediterranean and the Caribbean can take on lots of other colors depending on weather conditions.

Examples of aquamarine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The decor is inviting too reflecting Peru’s culture and landscapes with shades of emerald green and aquamarine complimented by more muted tones. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Gems include blue, pink and violet sapphires, amethysts, rubies, pink garnets, tanzanites, iolites, aquamarines and diamonds. —Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024

The aqua push-up brassiere is handset with nearly 3,400 precious gems, including 142 carats of white and yellow diamonds, pearls, faceted citrines and aquamarines, all set in 18-karat white and yellow gold. —Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024

Along with tiger’s eye, as seen above, talkative’s sliced, gemstone Crest earrings are available in a veritable rainbow of gems and hardstones including lapis lazuli, fluorite, moss agate, mother of pearl, green onyx, amethyst and aquamarine. —Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin aqua marina, from Latin, sea water

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

aquamarine

noun

aqua·​ma·​rine ˌak-wə-mə-ˈrēn 

ˌäk-

1

: a transparent beryl that is blue, blue-green, or green

2

: a pale blue to light greenish blue