amber

¹

[ am-ber ]

noun

1. a pale yellow, sometimes reddish or brownish, fossil resin of vegetable origin, translucent, brittle, and capable of gaining a negative electrical charge by friction and of being an excellent insulator: used for making jewelry and other ornamental articles.
2. the yellowish-brown color of resin.

adjective

1. of the color of amber; yellowish-brown:

   amber fields of grain.

2. made of amber:

   amber earrings.

Amber

²

[ am-ber ]

noun

1. a first name.

amber

/ ˈæmbə /

noun

1. 1. a yellow or yellowish-brown hard translucent fossil resin derived from extinct coniferous trees that occurs in Tertiary deposits and often contains trapped insects. It is used for jewellery, ornaments, etc
   2. ( as modifier ) succinic

      an amber necklace

2. fly in amber
   a strange relic or reminder of the past
3. 1. a medium to dark brownish-yellow colour, often somewhat orange, similar to that of the resin
   2. ( as adjective )

      an amber dress

4. an amber traffic light used as a warning between red and green

amber

/ ăm′bər /

1. A hard, translucent, brownish-yellow substance that is the fossilized resin of ancient trees. It often contains fossil insects.

Other Word Forms

• amber·like amber·y amber·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amber¹

1350–1400; Middle English ambre < Old French < Medieval Latin ambra < Arabic ʿanbar ambergris; confusion of the dissimilar substances perhaps because both were rare, valuable, and found on seacoasts

Word History and Origins

Origin of amber¹

C14: from Medieval Latin ambar, from Arabic `anbar ambergris

A Closer Look

Certain trees, especially conifers, produce a sticky substance called resin to protect themselves against insects. Normally, it decays in oxygen through the action of bacteria. However, if the resin happens to fall into wet mud or sand containing little oxygen, it can harden and eventually fossilize, becoming the yellowish, translucent substance known as amber. If any insects or other organisms are trapped in the resin before it hardens, they can be preserved, often in exquisite detail. By studying these preserved organisms, scientists are able learn key facts about life on Earth millions of years ago.

Example Sentences

According to 'AuroraWatch UK', solar activity increased with 'amber' and then 'red' alerts being issued late on Tuesday.

From BBC

The blaze came after the National Hazards Partnership issued an amber wildfire warning this weekend, highlighting the likelihood of fires that could be difficult to control.

From BBC

It comes as the National Hazards Partnership issued an amber wildfire warning this weekend, highlighting the likelihood of fires that could be difficult to control.

From BBC

Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued an amber wildfires warning for parts of England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland until Monday, as conditions are dry with strong winds.

From BBC

Safety measures in these jurisdictions include retractable stop signs on the left-hand side of buses which flashes amber or red when children are exiting.

From BBC