lapis lazuli
C1-C2Formal, academic, artistic
Definition
Meaning
A deep-blue, semi-precious stone historically prized as a gemstone and for pigment.
A brilliant, deep ultramarine blue color, typically derived from or resembling the stone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically used as an uncountable noun ('a piece of lapis lazuli'). The term can also function attributively as a compound adjective ('lapis lazuli blue').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling, pronunciation, or usage differences. The compound term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Associated with luxury, antiquity, art history, and spirituality in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, primarily used in specific domains like art, archaeology, jewellery, and history.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Noun (Uncountable): The necklace was made of lapis lazuli.Adjective (Attributive): She painted with a lapis lazuli pigment.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. May appear in luxury goods, jewellery, or art auction descriptions.
Academic
Common in art history, archaeology, geology, and mineralogy texts discussing historical artefacts, pigments, or gem trade.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used by enthusiasts in jewellery-making, painting, or crystal collecting.
Technical
Used in geology/mineralogy to specify the rock (a metamorphic rock containing lazurite, calcite, and pyrite).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The museum displayed a medieval reliquary with lapis lazuli inlays.
American English
- Her eyes were a striking, lapis lazuli blue.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bracelet has beautiful blue stones called lapis lazuli.
- Ancient Egyptians highly valued lapis lazuli, importing it from Afghanistan for jewellery and amulets.
- The artist ground the semi-precious lapis lazuli to create the vibrant ultramarine pigment used in the Renaissance masterpiece.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LAZY lion (lazuli) lying on a LAP (lapis) of brilliant blue stone.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAPIS LAZULI IS A WINDOW TO THE COSMOS / ANCIENT WISDOM (due to its deep blue colour and historical use in sacred objects).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- The Russian term "лазурит" (lazurit) is a direct equivalent. No trap, but note that the English term is a compound noun, not a single word.
- Confusion with "ляпис-лазурь" is possible but the English term is standardised as 'lapis lazuli'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect spelling: 'lapis lazuli', 'lapislazuli' (should be two words).
- Mispronunciation: Stressing the first word 'LAP-is' instead of the primary stress on 'LAZ' in 'lazuli'.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'lapis lazuli' MOST commonly used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a two-word compound noun, typically written as 'lapis lazuli'. It is sometimes hyphenated ('lapis-lazuli') when used attributively (e.g., 'lapis-lazuli necklace').
Historically, 'ultramarine' referred specifically to the pigment made from powdered lapis lazuli. Today, 'ultramarine' is a common name for the synthetic version of that blue colour, while 'lapis lazuli' refers to the natural stone itself.
As an uncountable noun for the material, it is not pluralised ('three pieces of lapis lazuli'). The plural 'lapis lazulis' is non-standard and rarely used, typically only to refer to multiple distinct gemstone objects in informal contexts.
It comes from Latin 'lapis' meaning 'stone' and Medieval Latin 'lazulum', from Arabic 'lāzaward' and Persian 'lāžvard', which was the name for the stone and also for the colour blue.