noun
obsidian
ob-SIHD-ee-uhn
Obsidian (noun) means a smooth, glassy black rock formed when lava cools very quickly. Example: “The ancient blade was carved from obsidian.”
noun
1
A smooth, glassy black rock formed when lava cools very quickly.
"The ancient blade was carved from obsidian."
"Obsidian can be sharpened to an edge finer than surgical steel."
adj
1
Deep glossy black, like the volcanic glass.
"The cat's obsidian eyes gleamed in the dark."
How to use obsidian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shiny black volcanic glass, or the deep black colour it has.
Common pairings
a shard of obsidian
obsidian black
polished obsidian
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Word forms
- Plural
- obsidians
- Comparative
- more obsidian
- Superlative
- most obsidian
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ancient blade was carved from _____.
Etymology
From Latin obsidianus (lapis), traditionally said to be named after a Roman called Obsidius who was credited with discovering the stone.
Rhymes for obsidian
See all rhymes for obsidian →Frequently asked questions
What does “obsidian” mean?
The word “obsidian” means a smooth, glassy black rock formed when lava cools very quickly. In plain terms, a shiny black volcanic glass, or the deep black colour it has.
How do you pronounce “obsidian”?
“Obsidian” is pronounced ob-SIHD-ee-uhn (/əbˈsɪd.i.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “obsidian” in a sentence?
Here is “obsidian” used in a sentence: “The ancient blade was carved from obsidian.”
What part of speech is “obsidian”?
Depending on how it is used, “obsidian” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “obsidian” come from?
The word “obsidian” comes from Latin. From Latin obsidianus (lapis), traditionally said to be named after a Roman called Obsidius who was credited with discovering the stone.
How many meanings does “obsidian” have?
“Obsidian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a smooth, glassy black rock formed when lava cools very quickly.
