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 Words From

• 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

The UK Health Security Agency also issued the first amber cold weather health alert of the season, warning conditions could be dangerous for elderly and vulnerable people.

From BBC

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Sunday for wind across Cumbria and an amber amber high wind warning for some western areas in Scotland.

From BBC

The Met Office said there was a good chance of power cuts in the amber warning area which stretches from Argyll to Cape Wrath in the north, and covers many of the country's island communities.

From BBC

Sleepily I followed him to a picnic bench glowing amber in the lantern light.

From Los Angeles Times

The staggering scale and grandeur of the Sierra Nevada make for a breathtaking autumn spectacle when the trees explode in gold and amber.

From Los Angeles Times