marble
5 synonyms for marble, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A hard, crystalline rock, often streaked with color, prized for sculpture and building.
Synonyms
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 marble
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
marble floor
marble statue
shoot marbles
well-marbled steak
Etymology
From Old French marbre, from Latin marmor, from Greek mármaros — possibly related to a Greek word meaning "gleaming."
Full origin of marble →Frequently asked questions
What does “marble” mean?
The word “marble” means a hard, crystalline rock, often streaked with color, prized for sculpture and building. In plain terms, the polished stone, the childhood toy, or the fat-streaked pattern in meat.
How do you pronounce “marble”?
“Marble” is pronounced MAH-buhl (/ˈmɑɹ.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “marble” in a sentence?
Here is “marble” used in a sentence: “The statue was carved from a single block of white marble.”
What part of speech is “marble”?
Depending on how it is used, “marble” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “marble” come from?
The word “marble” comes from Latin. From Old French marbre, from Latin marmor, from Greek mármaros — possibly related to a Greek word meaning "gleaming.".
Is “marble” a common word?
“Marble” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “marble” have?
“Marble” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hard, crystalline rock, often streaked with color, prized for sculpture and building.
What is the difference between marble and granite?
Both are hard rocks used in building, but marble is a crystalline stone often streaked with color and prized for sculpture, while granite is formed from visible interlocking mineral grains. Marble is softer and more prone to scratching and staining, whereas granite is harder and more resistant to wear.
