azure

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Bright, clear blue, like a sunny sky without clouds.

   Grammar: Usually placed before a noun: azure waters.

   Patterns

   • azure + noun

   We swam in the azure waters of the bay.

   The painter used an azure wash for the summer sky.

   She wore an azure scarf that matched her eyes.

2. 2noununcountableliterary

   The bright blue color of a clear sky, or the sky itself in poetry.

   Grammar: Often used with the: the azure of the sky.

   Patterns

   • the azure of something

   The azure of the Mediterranean amazed the travelers.

   Gulls wheeled across the azure.

3. 3noununcountablespecialist

   In heraldry, the color blue on a coat of arms.

   Grammar: A technical word used when describing a shield or banner.

   Patterns

   • on a field of azure

   The shield shows three gold stars on a field of azure.

   The family crest is azure and silver.

Common combinations

azure sky

The azure sky stretched out above the sea.

azure sea

An azure sea lapped the white sand.

azure blue

The ceramic bowl glowed azure blue.

azure waters

The azure waters were warm and clear.

deep azure

The lake turned a deep azure at noon.

Synonyms and how they differ

sky blue

Sky blue is plain and everyday and is paler than azure.

cerulean

Cerulean is slightly deeper and calmer, and is used by painters and writers.

cobalt

Cobalt is a darker, intense blue named for the metal.

turquoise

Turquoise has more green in it than azure.

Word family

azurite noun

a deep blue mineral

azurine adjective

of a sky-blue color (rare)

lapis lazuli noun

the blue stone from which the word azure ultimately comes

Commonly confused: azure or Azure? azure or assure?

Practice

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

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