amber

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A hard, translucent fossilized tree resin, typically yellowish-orange, used in jewelry.

   Grammar: Uncountable when referring to the material; countable when referring to a piece of it.

   Patterns

   • a piece of amber
   • made of amber
   • amber jewelry

   The necklace was made of polished amber.

   Scientists found a mosquito trapped in a piece of amber.

   Amber has been used in jewelry for thousands of years.

2. 2noununcountable

   A warm yellowish-orange color, like the resin.

   Grammar: Used as a color noun; often preceded by 'the' when referring to a specific shade.

   Patterns

   • in amber
   • the amber of the sky
   • a shade of amber

   The sky turned a deep amber at sunset.

   She painted the walls in a soft amber.

   The leaves were a rich amber in autumn.

3. 3adjectivenot comparable

   Having a warm yellowish-orange color, like the resin.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb; not usually compared.

   Patterns

   • amber light
   • amber eyes
   • turn amber

   The traffic light turned amber, so we slowed down.

   She has beautiful amber eyes.

   The beer was a clear amber color.

Word forms

Common combinations

amber alert

The police issued an amber alert for the missing child.

amber light

When the amber light comes on, you should prepare to stop.

amber necklace

She wore a beautiful amber necklace.

amber resin

The amber resin was smooth and warm to the touch.

Synonyms and how they differ

resin

A general term for sticky plant substances, while amber is specifically fossilized resin.

golden

A color adjective that is brighter and more yellow than amber; amber is deeper and more orange.

Word family

ambery adjective

Having a color or quality like amber.

Commonly confused: amber or ember?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “amber”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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