onyx

noun

on·​yx ˈä-niks How to pronounce onyx (audio)
: a translucent chalcedony in parallel layers of different colors

Examples of onyx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The apartment has a view of the city’s skyline, with a personal gym, massage room and a bathroom clad in onyx. Adam Reiss, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024 The mass production of terrazzo started in the 1500’s, initiated by construction workers and architects in Europe as a way to repurpose the off cuts of marble and onyx used for paving the government buildings, churches and homes of Italian nobility. Grace Banks, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 The chic look was paired with Fred Leighton onyx and diamond pendant platinum earrings, a platinum twin old European cut diamond ring and a platinum oval rose cut diamond ring. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 19 Feb. 2024 Featured in the exhibit in both white marble and green marble onyx, The Chatterboxes shows a group of three women listening with rapt attention to a story told by a fourth. Farah Peterson, The Atlantic, 14 Dec. 2023 The en suites have Toto Japanese toilets and, between them, employ 20 different types of materials, such as green onyx and Amazonite. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 5 Jan. 2024 Meanwhile, Hailee Steinfeld's holiday glam consisted of a swing of liquid liner, glossy peach lips, and an onyx manicure. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2023 Coming in four new fresh colorways of olive, onyx, sand, and glossy red, the puffer is reimagined into a modern take on nostalgia. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 11 Jan. 2024 Choose yours in marble, onyx, or heather gray and consider pairing with other Skims loungewear pieces for a matching look. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'onyx.' 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

Middle English oniche, onyx, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin onych-, onyx, from Greek, literally, claw, nail — more at nail

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near onyx

Cite this Entry

“Onyx.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onyx. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

onyx

noun
on·​yx ˈän-iks How to pronounce onyx (audio)
: chalcedony in parallel layers of different color

More from Merriam-Webster on onyx

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