English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun

carnelian

kar-NEEL-yuhn

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Carnelian (noun) means a hard, reddish-brown form of chalcedony used to make jewellery. Example: “She wore a ring set with a polished carnelian.”

noun

1

A hard, reddish-brown form of chalcedony used to make jewellery.

"She wore a ring set with a polished carnelian."

"The necklace was strung with beads of orange-red carnelian."

"Craftsmen have carved carnelian into seals and beads for centuries."

How to use carnelian

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIt's a reddish-brown gemstone used in jewellery.

When to use it

It's a fairly ordinary word in jewellery and mineralogy contexts, not a technical term outside those fields.

Memory tip

Remember the colour by linking carnelian to carnation or flesh tones, since its name comes from the Latin word for fleshy.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

cornelian

Common pairings

a carnelian ring polished carnelian a carnelian bead set with carnelian

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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She wore a ring set with a polished _____.

Etymology

Carnelian developed from cornelian. Its spelling shifted to carneolus under the influence of the Latin word carneus, meaning fleshy, a nod to the stone's flesh-toned colour.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

cornelian

Rhymes for carnelian

Asian radian Fabian Indian Syrian simian gentian Italian Russian Persian Serbian Latvian

See all rhymes for carnelian →

Frequently asked questions

What is carnelian made of?

It is a hard variety of chalcedony, a mineral in the quartz family, coloured reddish brown.

Is carnelian the same as cornelian?

Yes, cornelian is an older form of the same word and is still used as another name for the stone.

What is carnelian used for?

It is cut and polished for use in jewellery, such as rings, beads and pendants.

What is the meaning of carnelian?

"carnelian" (noun) means a hard, reddish-brown form of chalcedony used to make jewellery.