noun

sapphire

SAF-eye-uh

noun

A precious gemstone, typically deep blue, formed from the mineral corundum.

"Her engagement ring had a sapphire instead of a diamond."

"The museum displayed a sapphire the size of a walnut."

A deep, rich blue colour, named after the gem.

"The dress was a shimmering sapphire that matched her eyes."

adj

Of a deep blue colour.

"The lake turned sapphire blue under the midday sun."

How to Use Sapphire

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA blue gemstone, or the deep blue colour named after it.

Easily confused with

aquamarine

Common pairings

sapphire ring sapphire blue a flawless sapphire

more sapphire comparative, sapphires plural, Sapphires plural, most sapphire superlative

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Her engagement ring had a _____ instead of a diamond.

From Old French "saphir," ultimately from Ancient Greek "sappheiros," itself likely borrowed from a Semitic word for lapis lazuli.

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