Ebony: meaning, definitions and examples

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ebony

 

[ ˈɛbəni ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

type of wood

A dense black hardwood, most commonly yielded by several species in the genus Diospyros.

Synonyms

blackwood, ebon.

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Word Description / Examples
ebony

Often used to describe a deep, rich black color, typically in relation to materials like wood, hair, or skin.

  • Her hair was as smooth as strands of ebony.
  • The table was made from ebony, giving it an elegant look.
blackwood

Usually refers to certain types of dark, dense wood that are used in fine furniture and musical instruments.

  • The guitar was crafted from Australian blackwood.
  • Collectors highly value furniture made from African blackwood.
ebon

An archaic or poetic term for describing something that is very dark, often used in literature or poetic expressions.

  • His eyes sparkled like ebon jewels in the dim light.
  • The ebon sky was filled with stars.

Examples of usage

  • Her antique desk was made of ebony wood.
  • The piano keys were crafted from ebony.
Context #2 | Noun

color

A deep, lustrous black color.

Synonyms

jet, sable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ebony

Typically used to describe very dark black color or luxurious, high-quality, dark wood.

  • She played the piano with its ebony keys
  • The table was made of rich ebony wood
jet

Often used to describe a sleek, shiny black color, sometimes with a polished or metallic finish.

  • He wore a jet-black suit to the event
  • Her hair was as dark as jet
sable

Commonly used in literary or poetic contexts to describe something that is rich, dark, and luxurious, often fur or fabric. Also, occasionally used to indicate a very dark color.

  • The knight's armor was adorned with a sable cloak
  • Her dress was a deep sable

Examples of usage

  • The night sky was ebony, dotted with twinkling stars.
  • Her hair shone in the ebony light.

Translations

Translations of the word "ebony" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ébano

🇮🇳 काला लकड़ी

🇩🇪 Ebenholz

🇮🇩 kayu hitam

🇺🇦 чорне дерево

🇵🇱 heban

🇯🇵 黒檀 (こくたん)

🇫🇷 ébène

🇪🇸 ébano

🇹🇷 abanoz

🇰🇷 흑단 (heukdan)

🇸🇦 خشب الأبنوس

🇨🇿 eben

🇸🇰 eben

🇨🇳 乌木 (wū mù)

🇸🇮 ebenovina

🇮🇸 eboní

🇰🇿 қара ағаш

🇬🇪 შავი ხე (shavi khe)

🇦🇿 eban ağacı

🇲🇽 ébano

Etymology

The term 'ebony' originated from the Ancient Egyptian word 'hbny', which referred to the dark wood. Ebony has been prized for its beauty and durability throughout history, used in furniture, musical instruments, and decorative arts. It holds a rich cultural significance in various regions of the world, symbolizing luxury and elegance.

See also: ebon.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,244, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.