amber
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for amber, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A hard, translucent, yellow-to-brown fossilized tree resin, used in jewellery and sometimes containing preserved insects.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use amber
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French ambre, from Arabic anbar ("ambergris") — originally referring to a waxy whale product before the name shifted to the fossil resin.
Full origin of amber →Frequently asked questions
What does “amber” mean?
The word “amber” means a hard, translucent, yellow-to-brown fossilized tree resin, used in jewellery and sometimes containing preserved insects. In plain terms, a gold-brown fossil resin, its colour, or the yellow traffic light.
How do you pronounce “amber”?
“Amber” is pronounced AM-buh (/ˈæm.bəː/ in IPA).
How do you use “amber” in a sentence?
Here is “amber” used in a sentence: “The museum displayed a piece of amber with a prehistoric fly trapped inside.”
What is another word for “amber”?
Words with a similar meaning to “amber” include ambergris.
What is the opposite of “amber”?
The opposite of “amber” — its antonyms — are red and green.
What part of speech is “amber”?
Depending on how it is used, “amber” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “amber” come from?
The word “amber” comes from Old French. From Old French ambre, from Arabic anbar ("ambergris") — originally referring to a waxy whale product before the name shifted to the fossil resin.
Is “amber” a common word?
“Amber” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What should drivers do when a traffic light turns amber?
When the amber light shows, drivers should stop if it is safe to do so, because it signals that the light is about to turn red. It is a warning to prepare to stop, not a cue to speed up. You should only continue through the junction if stopping suddenly would be unsafe.
What is the difference between "amber" and "yellow"?
As colours, amber is a deeper, more orange-tinged shade, while yellow is brighter and lighter. On traffic signals, British English calls the middle light "amber," whereas American English usually calls the same light "yellow." They point to the same signal but use different names.
Is amber a gemstone or a stone?
Amber is neither a true gemstone nor a mineral stone; it is hardened, fossilised tree resin. It is prized in jewellery for its warm colour and can sometimes contain insects that were trapped long ago. Because it comes from living trees, it is classed as an organic material rather than a rock.