WordGarden.iolapis
B2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈlæpəs/
Meanings
Noun
lapis lazuli; a deep-blue gemstone or decorative stone
Adjective
deep blue in color, like lapis lazuli
Beyond the definition
"Lapis" is most often a shorter way to say lapis lazuli, the deep-blue stone that people have admired for thousands of years. Picture ancient Egyptians placing it in jewelry, amulets, and royal objects because it seemed rich, rare, and almost magical. The name comes from the Latin word lapis, meaning "stone," joined with lazuli, a word linked to "blue."
Sometimes the word is also used for the strong blue color of the stone, especially in art, design, or poetic writing. You may read about a lapis necklace, a lapis pigment, or a lapis-blue detail in a painting. The word carries a feeling of history, beauty, and old-world luxury.
Lapis lazuli, often shortened to "lapis," is a deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone in jewelry, carvings, and decorative objects for over 6,000 years. Sourced especially from the mountains of Afghanistan, it was prized by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Greeks, and Romans. Many linked it with royalty, divinity, protection, and the heavens.
The word "lapis" is Latin for "stone," while "lazuli" comes from the Persian lāzhward, related to the color blue, and passed through Arabic and Medieval Latin before entering English. Historically, true lapis lazuli was sometimes confused with other blue stones such as azurite or sodalite, which led to some unclear naming in older records.
Today, "lapis" usually refers to the stone itself or to objects made from it, though it can also describe the rich blue color connected with the stone, especially in artistic or descriptive contexts. You might read about a lapis pendant, a bowl inlaid with lapis, or a painter using lapis pigment. The word suggests depth, richness, and a long cultural history. From ancient tombs to modern studios and jewelry cases, lapis still carries the sense of a beautiful material with a remarkable past.
Examples
- 1
Jewelry
She wore a small lapis pendant on a silver chain.
- 2
Beads
The bracelet was made with coral, turquoise, and lapis beads.
- 3
Art materials
In old paintings, artists sometimes used pigment made from ground lapis.
See also
Similar
- lapis lazuli
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- lapis beads
- lapis pigment
- polished lapis
Explore
- semiprecious stone
- ultramarine
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- lapis