emerald
1 of 2noun
em·er·ald ˈem-rəld 
ˈe-mə-
1
: a rich green variety of beryl prized as a gemstone
2
: any of various green gemstones (such as synthetic corundum or demantoid)
emerald
2 of 2adjective
: brightly or richly green
Did you know?
Highly valued as gemstones, emeralds are a grass-green variety of beryl. The capacity of emeralds to deflect light and to break white light into its component colors is not high, so cut stones display little brilliancy or fire (flashes of color). The color that gives this gem its value comes from the presence of small amounts of chromium. The most important production of fine-quality gem material is Colombia; emeralds are also mined in Russia, Australia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Synthetic emeralds are identical to natural crystals and may rival them in color and beauty.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
CNN, 1 Oct. 2021 Mint-flavor chocolates and emerald-green candy toppers add charming appeal. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2022 The Time Stone is an emerald, the Space Stone is a sapphire, the Reality Stone is a ruby, the Power Stone is an amethyst, the Soul Stone is spessartite, and the Mind Stone is a yellow diamond. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 July 2022 The Time Stone, which has the ability to manipulate time — even in places beyond time — is a Colombian emerald of nearly 23 carats. Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2022 The accompanying emerald and diamond earrings are on display with the necklace for the first time. Monique Jessen, PEOPLE.com, 21 July 2022 The sale will be led by a gorgeous 2.39-carat Colombian emerald ring that is expected to fetch between $38,500 and $65,000. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 July 2022 In 2017, an intricate emerald and diamond necklace from Swiss luxury jeweler de Grisogono, which featured a central 163.41-carat rectangular sparkler, set the record for a white diamond sale at 33,500,000 CHF ($33.8 million USD). CNN, 11 May 2022 Just two months after a then-pregnant Meghan stepped out in a custom, emerald coat by the English label in March 2019, Kate wore this floral maxi for a flower show. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 10 Apr. 2022 John Maccormack, San Antonio Express-News, 1 June 2020 The legends speak of a garden and mountains and seas and emerald stones. Sam Sacks, WSJ, 31 Jan. 2020 From her sleek looped updo to her bedazzled emerald gown, our eyes admittedly went to her hot-pink lipstick first. Aimee Simeon, refinery29.com, 20 Jan. 2020 Kate, who wore a flowing teal and emerald maxi dress by ARoss Girl x Soler and ceramic drop earrings by Pakistani designer Zeen, and William stepped out on Wednesday to visit the Aga Khan Centre in London. Erin Hill, PEOPLE.com, 2 Oct. 2019 In the company of a guide, wind your way through seemingly infinite terraces of cascading emerald rice paddies to a Red Dao village and stop to visit the home of one of the resident families and learn about their daily life. National Geographic, 24 Apr. 2019 Browse local crafts at artisan markets, visit the seventh-century Kyichu Lhakhang temple, and hike through emerald rice fields that blanket the valley floor. National Geographic, 20 Sep. 2019 There are live sets by Mexico’s Sainte Vie, Berlin and Lima collective Feathered Sun, and Satori who laid down a simmering multi-instrumental session at the head of an expansive, emerald pool. Nicolas Stecher, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2019 Queen Mary, played in the film by Geraldine Jones, wears a replica of the Duchess Vladimir diamond and emerald tiara. Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 29 Sep. 2019 See More
Noun
And jaguars -- encasing the emerald in the pendant -- have been a symbol of power across Mesoamerica. CNN, 1 Oct. 2021 Mint-flavor chocolates and emerald-green candy toppers add charming appeal. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2022 The Time Stone is an emerald, the Space Stone is a sapphire, the Reality Stone is a ruby, the Power Stone is an amethyst, the Soul Stone is spessartite, and the Mind Stone is a yellow diamond. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 July 2022 The Time Stone, which has the ability to manipulate time — even in places beyond time — is a Colombian emerald of nearly 23 carats. Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2022 The accompanying emerald and diamond earrings are on display with the necklace for the first time. Monique Jessen, PEOPLE.com, 21 July 2022 The sale will be led by a gorgeous 2.39-carat Colombian emerald ring that is expected to fetch between $38,500 and $65,000. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 July 2022 In 2017, an intricate emerald and diamond necklace from Swiss luxury jeweler de Grisogono, which featured a central 163.41-carat rectangular sparkler, set the record for a white diamond sale at 33,500,000 CHF ($33.8 million USD). CNN, 11 May 2022 Just two months after a then-pregnant Meghan stepped out in a custom, emerald coat by the English label in March 2019, Kate wore this floral maxi for a flower show. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 10 Apr. 2022 Adjective
At the Lajitas Golf Resort, on an emerald course shimmering in the Chihuahuan Desert, the duffers and ringers were teeing off each morning last week. John Maccormack, San Antonio Express-News, 1 June 2020 The legends speak of a garden and mountains and seas and emerald stones. Sam Sacks, WSJ, 31 Jan. 2020 From her sleek looped updo to her bedazzled emerald gown, our eyes admittedly went to her hot-pink lipstick first. Aimee Simeon, refinery29.com, 20 Jan. 2020 Kate, who wore a flowing teal and emerald maxi dress by ARoss Girl x Soler and ceramic drop earrings by Pakistani designer Zeen, and William stepped out on Wednesday to visit the Aga Khan Centre in London. Erin Hill, PEOPLE.com, 2 Oct. 2019 In the company of a guide, wind your way through seemingly infinite terraces of cascading emerald rice paddies to a Red Dao village and stop to visit the home of one of the resident families and learn about their daily life. National Geographic, 24 Apr. 2019 Browse local crafts at artisan markets, visit the seventh-century Kyichu Lhakhang temple, and hike through emerald rice fields that blanket the valley floor. National Geographic, 20 Sep. 2019 There are live sets by Mexico’s Sainte Vie, Berlin and Lima collective Feathered Sun, and Satori who laid down a simmering multi-instrumental session at the head of an expansive, emerald pool. Nicolas Stecher, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2019 Queen Mary, played in the film by Geraldine Jones, wears a replica of the Duchess Vladimir diamond and emerald tiara. Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 29 Sep. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English emerallde, from Anglo-French esmeralde, from Vulgar Latin *smaralda, from Latin smaragdus, from Greek smaragdos — more at smaragd
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1508, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing emerald
Kids Definition
emerald 1 of 2
noun
em·er·ald ˈe-mə-rəld
ˈem-rəld
: a gemstone of a rich green color
emerald
2 of 2adjective
: brightly or richly green