noun
onyx
O-nihks
noun
1
A banded gemstone form of quartz, often black and white, used in jewelry and carvings.
"She wore a ring set with a polished black onyx stone."
2
A deep, glossy black color, named after the gemstone.
"The car came in a sleek onyx finish."
adj
1
Deep black, often with a glossy shine, like the stone.
"He wore onyx cufflinks to the gala."
How to Use Onyx
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA black banded gemstone, or the glossy black color named after it.
Common pairings
black onyx
onyx ring
onyx black
Word Forms
onyxes plural
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She wore a ring set with a polished black _____ stone.
Etymology
From Old French onix or oniche, from Latin onyx, from Ancient Greek ónux, originally meaning "claw" or "fingernail" (a reference to the stone's pale, nail-like banding).