cerulean
Americanadjective
-
deep blue; sky blue; azure.
-
Heraldry. a sky-blue tincture, used especially on the Continent.
noun
Etymology
Origin of cerulean
1660–70; < Latin caerule ( us ) dark blue, azure (akin to caelum sky) + -an
Explanation
Something that's cerulean is colored a clear, deep blue. On a sunny summer day, the sky is often cerulean, with just a few puffy white clouds. Your cerulean sweater might be your favorite, since you believe it makes your eyes look cerulean as well. Tropical beaches can claim to have white sand and cerulean water, and a bright October morning often comes with a cerulean sky. The word has been around since the 17th century, from the Latin caeruleus, "dark blue," with the root caelum, "heaven" or "sky."
Vocabulary lists containing cerulean
Blue
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
David Bowie (1947-2016) Tribute List
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Internment
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But after Miranda’s legendary cerulean monologue, Andy realizes that fashion is more than just stick-thin models and clothes that cost more than your rent.
From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025
Miranda Priestly, along with her anti-bacterial wipes and excellent taste in cerulean sweaters, will once again be portrayed by Hollywood royalty Meryl Streep.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025
My most cherished item is a brandless vintage cerulean hoodie I’ve had since I was 18.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2025
Whether ultramarine, cerulean, Egyptian or cobalt, blue pigments have colored artworks for centuries.
From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2024
It was yet another cerulean whirlpool, though it seemed to swirl more fervently than the others.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
