ivory
6 synonyms for ivory, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The hard, creamy-white material that forms the tusks of elephants and some other animals.
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.
How to use ivory
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ivory tusks
ivory carving
ivory tower
tickle the ivories
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman "ivurie", from Latin "eboreus" ("of ivory"), tracing back to an ancient Egyptian word for elephant and ivory — a very long journey for one small word.
Full origin of ivory →Frequently asked questions
What does “ivory” mean?
The word “ivory” means the hard, creamy-white material that forms the tusks of elephants and some other animals. In plain terms, the hard white tusk material from elephants (and similar animals), or the pale cream color named after it.
How do you pronounce “ivory”?
“Ivory” is pronounced YV-ree (/ˈaɪv(ə)ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “ivory” in a sentence?
Here is “ivory” used in a sentence: “The antique chess set was carved from ivory.”
What part of speech is “ivory”?
Depending on how it is used, “ivory” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “ivory” come from?
The word “ivory” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman "ivurie", from Latin "eboreus" ("of ivory"), tracing back to an ancient Egyptian word for elephant and ivory — a very long journey for one small word.
Is “ivory” a common word?
“Ivory” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “ivory” have?
“Ivory” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the hard, creamy-white material that forms the tusks of elephants and some other animals.
What is the difference between ivory and bone?
Ivory is the hard, creamy-white material that specifically forms the tusks of elephants and some other animals, while bone comes from the skeletal structure of animals more broadly. Ivory has a distinct density and texture that has historically made it prized for carving, unlike ordinary bone.
Why are piano keys called ivories?
Piano keys are informally called ivories because older pianos were traditionally topped with thin sheets of real ivory, the creamy-white material from elephant tusks. The nickname has stuck even though modern piano keys are typically made from plastic.
Is ivory a color name as well as a material?
Yes, ivory also describes a pale, creamy-white color resembling the material itself. It's commonly used to describe paint, fabric, and other pale off-white shades.
