noun
ivory
YV-ree
noun
1
The hard, creamy-white material that forms the tusks of elephants and some other animals.
"The antique chess set was carved from ivory."
"Poachers kill elephants illegally to sell their ivory."
2
A pale, creamy-white color resembling that material.
"The bride chose an ivory wedding dress instead of pure white."
3
Informal: the keys of a piano.
"He sat down and tickled the ivories for the crowd."
adj
1
Made of, or colored like, ivory.
"She painted the nursery walls a soft ivory shade."
How to Use Ivory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe hard white tusk material from elephants (and similar animals), or the pale cream color named after it.
Common mistake
The international trade in elephant ivory is heavily restricted or banned in most countries — don't assume "antique ivory" is automatically legal to sell.
Common pairings
ivory tusks
ivory carving
ivory tower
tickle the ivories
Word Forms
ivories plural
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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.