noun
Uncommon
emerald
EHM-ruhld
Emerald (noun) means a precious green gemstone, a variety of beryl, prized for its deep green colour. Example: “Her engagement ring was set with a single emerald.”
noun
1
A precious green gemstone, a variety of beryl, prized for its deep green colour.
"Her engagement ring was set with a single emerald."
2
A rich, deep green colour, similar to that of the gemstone.
"The hills turned emerald after weeks of rain."
adj
1
Of a rich, deep green colour.
"She wore an emerald dress to the gala."
How to use emerald
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA green gemstone, or the deep green colour associated with it.
Common pairings
emerald ring
emerald green
emerald isle
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Word forms
- Plural
- emeralds
- Third person singular
- emeralds
- Past tense
- emeralded
- Comparative
- more emerald
- Superlative
- most emerald
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her engagement ring was set with a single _____.
Etymology
From Old French esmeraude, tracing back through Latin smaragdus to Greek smaragdos, itself likely borrowed from an ancient Semitic word for a flashing gem.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for emerald
See all rhymes for emerald →Frequently asked questions
What does “emerald” mean?
The word “emerald” means a precious green gemstone, a variety of beryl, prized for its deep green colour. In plain terms, a green gemstone, or the deep green colour associated with it.
How do you pronounce “emerald”?
“Emerald” is pronounced EHM-ruhld (/ˈɛm.(ə.)ɹəld/ in IPA).
How do you use “emerald” in a sentence?
Here is “emerald” used in a sentence: “Her engagement ring was set with a single emerald.”
What part of speech is “emerald”?
Depending on how it is used, “emerald” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “emerald” come from?
The word “emerald” comes from Latin. From Old French esmeraude, tracing back through Latin smaragdus to Greek smaragdos, itself likely borrowed from an ancient Semitic word for a flashing gem.
Is “emerald” a common word?
“Emerald” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “emerald” have?
“Emerald” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a precious green gemstone, a variety of beryl, prized for its deep green colour.
What is the difference between "emerald" as a gemstone and "emerald" as a colour?
As a gemstone, emerald refers to a precious green variety of beryl prized for its deep green colour. As a colour term, "emerald" describes a rich, deep green shade similar to that of the gemstone, without referring to the stone itself.
What gemstone family does emerald belong to?
Emerald is a variety of beryl, a mineral group that also includes gemstones like aquamarine. Emerald is distinguished from other beryl varieties by its characteristic deep green colour.
How is "emerald" used as an adjective?
As an adjective, "emerald" describes something of a rich, deep green colour, as in "emerald green" or "emerald water." This usage draws directly on the colour associated with the gemstone.
