amber

1 of 2

noun

am·​ber ˈam-bər How to pronounce amber (audio)
1
: a hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin that takes a fine polish and is used chiefly in making ornamental objects (such as beads)
2
: a variable color averaging a dark orange yellow

amber

2 of 2

adjective

1
: consisting of amber
2
: resembling amber
especially : having the color amber

Examples of amber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The many colors of urine Urine varies in color from pale yellow to deep amber, primarily due to urochrome, a byproduct of the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 In a similar vein, beads and other jewelry made from precious amber were regarded not only as a highly decorative material, but also a protection against illness and evil, particularly for children in ancient Rome. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 Samadi’s family’s lawsuit contends the three-man city crew should have set up cones and that the trucks should have had their amber flashers on while they were parked on the side of the road cleaning storm drain filters. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024 Some evenings, for a few minutes only, the sky glows with amber and gold streaks, as if Monet had just stroked the skies with his paintbrush. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Grounding base notes of Texas cedarwood, vetiver oil Haiti, opulent musks, and amber keep the scent from veering too sweet. Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2024 Lebanese amber is rich in preserved fossils, called inclusions, and dates to around 125 million years in the early Cretaceous period. Kate Golembiewski, New York Times, 4 Dec. 2023 Baking soda also promotes browning, so that muffin slope burnishes to a deep coppery amber. Genevieve Ko, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024 The 75-year-old jewelry house David Webb produces all of its creations in a townhouse on Madison Avenue, including this necklace made of amethyst, carnelian and carved amber beads strung between white enamel and brilliant-cut diamonds. Ella Riley-Adams Angela Koh Jameson Montgomery Jameson Montgomery Tom Delavan, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
Adjective
She was dressed in a long amber coat over a pink gown, and had a short bob haircut. Lindy Segal, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2024 Both the Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter and Argan Oil + Sugar Balm Body Scrub come in three new clean fragrances, housed in stunning amber glass jars that can be refilled forever and are infinitely recyclable. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The amber sweetness made this mushroom coffee recipe my favorite yet. Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024 Its profile comes across as a floral amber musk with a Lily of the Valley top note, an Ambergris middle note, and a dry Amber Woods base. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 1 Feb. 2024 Neptune's Fix Elixir and Extra Strength Elixir sold in amber glass bottles with a label that covers the entire cap/bottle and is perforated at the cap. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2024 Clearance lamps on the front of the truck should be amber, and mud flaps must extend to no more than eight inches from the surface of the road. Emily Gogolak, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 Dehydration You may be dehydrated if your urine is amber or dark orange. Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 4 Jan. 2024 The hotel’s historic lobby showcases a huge Christmas tree with 10,000 amber lights and nearly 2,000 ornaments. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amber.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ambre, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin ambra, from Arabic ʽanbar ambergris

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of amber was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near amber

Cite this Entry

“Amber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amber. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

amber

noun
am·​ber
ˈam-bər
1
: a hard yellowish partly transparent resin from trees long dead that can be highly polished and is used for ornamental objects (as beads)
2
: a dark orange yellow
amber adjective

Medical Definition

amber

noun
am·​ber ˈam-bər How to pronounce amber (audio)
: a hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin that takes a fine polish and is used chiefly in making ornamental objects (as beads)
amber adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on amber

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