noun
Uncommon
sapphire
SAF-eye-uh
Sapphire (noun) means a precious gemstone, typically deep blue, formed from the mineral corundum. Example: “Her engagement ring had a sapphire instead of a diamond.”
noun
1
A precious gemstone, typically deep blue, formed from the mineral corundum.
"Her engagement ring had a sapphire instead of a diamond."
"The museum displayed a sapphire the size of a walnut."
2
A deep, rich blue colour, named after the gem.
"The dress was a shimmering sapphire that matched her eyes."
adj
1
Of a deep blue colour.
"The lake turned sapphire blue under the midday sun."
How to use sapphire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA blue gemstone, or the deep blue colour named after it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sapphire ring
sapphire blue
a flawless sapphire
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Word forms
- Plural
- sapphires
- Comparative
- more sapphire
- Superlative
- most sapphire
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her engagement ring had a _____ instead of a diamond.
Etymology
From Old French "saphir," ultimately from Ancient Greek "sappheiros," itself likely borrowed from a Semitic word for lapis lazuli.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sapphire
See all rhymes for sapphire →Frequently asked questions
What does “sapphire” mean?
The word “sapphire” means a precious gemstone, typically deep blue, formed from the mineral corundum. In plain terms, a blue gemstone, or the deep blue colour named after it.
How do you pronounce “sapphire”?
“Sapphire” is pronounced SAF-eye-uh (/ˈsæf.aɪ̯əɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sapphire” in a sentence?
Here is “sapphire” used in a sentence: “Her engagement ring had a sapphire instead of a diamond.”
What part of speech is “sapphire”?
Depending on how it is used, “sapphire” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “sapphire” come from?
The word “sapphire” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French "saphir," ultimately from Ancient Greek "sappheiros," itself likely borrowed from a Semitic word for lapis lazuli.
Is “sapphire” a common word?
“Sapphire” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sapphire” have?
“Sapphire” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a precious gemstone, typically deep blue, formed from the mineral corundum.
