Sapphire Definition & Meaning

American

British

Scientific

Usage

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms sapphire American [saf-ahyuhr] / ˈsæf aɪər /

noun

1. any gem variety of corundum other than the ruby, especially one of the blue varieties.

2. a gem of this kind.

3. the color of this gem, a deep blue.

adjective

1. resembling sapphire; deep blue.

   a sapphire sky.

sapphire British / ˈsæfaɪə /

noun

1. 1. any precious corundum gemstone that is not red, esp the highly valued transparent blue variety. A synthetic form is used in electronics and precision apparatus. Formula: Al 2 O 3

   2. ( as modifier )

      a sapphire ring

2. 1. the blue colour of sapphire

   2. ( as adjective )

      sapphire eyes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 sapphire Scientific / săf′īr′ /

1. A clear, fairly pure form of the mineral corundum that is usually blue but may be any color except red. It often contains small amounts of oxides of cobalt, chromium, and titanium and is valued as a gem.

2. Compare ruby

Usage

What does sapphire mean? Sapphire is a transparent gemstone known for its deep-blue variety.Sapphire belongs to the corundum family of minerals. Sapphires come in a variety of colors (including completely clear), but if a color is not specified, the word sapphire usually refers to the blue kind. This is the most well-known and is classified as a precious gem, meaning that it has a high commercial value. Some varieties of sapphire, like the one known as star sapphire, are considered even more valuable.Sapphire is popular in jewelry. It is one of the birthstones for the month of September. It is associated with the zodiac sign of Taurus.Some sapphires are synthetic, meaning they are manufactured, as opposed to being formed naturally. Due to its hardness, synthetic sapphire is used in a variety of practical applications, including as a material to make windows, lasers, and circuits. It is sometimes used as an abrasive, which is a material used for grinding and polishing.The word sapphire is also sometimes used to refer to a deep-blue color.Example: If I had the money, I’d buy that deep-blue sapphire ring.

Etymology

Origin of sapphire

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English saphir(e), saph(i)er, from Old French safir(e), saffir, saffer, from Latin sapphīrus, sappīrus, from Greek sáppheiros, perhaps “lapis lazuli, lazurite, sapphire,” probably from Semitic (compare Hebrew sappīr, and probably a loanword in Semitic); sappīr and related Semitic forms perhaps come from Sanskrit śanipuriya “dear to (the planet) Saturn,” equivalent to Śani “(the planet) Saturn” + priyá- “dear”; further origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She wore navy silk riding clothes, and sapphires, and an expression as inscrutable as the sea.

From Literature

It said the watch was made up of 397 precious stones, including diamonds, green sapphires, garnets and other gems.

From BBC

We crisscrossed our paths as we circled the viewing cases, our eyes dancing over the gold and silver, the pearls and rubies and sapphires.

From Literature

Tour the Smithsonian Gem Collection whenever you want with this book on the histories of the Star of Asia sapphire, the Dom Pedro Aquamarine obelisk and the Hope Diamond.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ingested loot is set with 60 white diamonds and 15 blue sapphires, according to the jeweller's website, and opens to reveal an 18-carat gold miniature octopus.

From BBC

Related Words

• blue-green

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.