Ivory: meaning, definitions and examples

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ivory

 

[ หˆaษชvษ™ri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

material

Hard white material made from the tusks of elephants and other animals. Ivory is valued for its beauty and is often used to make decorative items.

Synonyms

bone, tusk.

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Word Description / Examples
ivory

Ivory is often used to describe the material obtained from elephant tusks, and it has a luxurious or exotic connotation. It can also refer to the color, which is a creamy white.

  • She wore an ivory dress to the wedding
  • The piano keys were made of ivory
tusk

Tusk refers specifically to the long, protruding teeth of certain animals like elephants, walruses, and boars. It is often used in discussions about wildlife or poaching.

  • The elephant used its tusk to dig into the ground
  • Conservationists are working to protect animals with valuable tusks from poachers
bone

Bone is the hard, rigid connective tissue that forms the skeleton of vertebrate animals. It is commonly used in more scientific or anatomical contexts.

  • The X-ray showed that his leg bone was broken
  • They found ancient bones in the archaeological site

Examples of usage

  • The piano keys were made of ivory.
  • The intricate carvings on the ivory statue were mesmerizing.
Context #2 | Noun

color

A pale yellowish-white color resembling the material ivory.

Synonyms

cream, off-white.

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Word Description / Examples
ivory

Ivory refers to a shade of white with a slight yellow or beige tint. It's often associated with luxury, elegance, and classic styles, commonly used in wedding dresses, fine linens, or heirloom pieces.

  • The bride's gown was a stunning ivory silk that shimmered in the sunlight.
  • They chose ivory envelopes for the wedding invitations to give a touch of sophistication.
cream

Cream is a warm, pale color with a hint of yellow. It's often used in home decor, clothing, and food descriptions. It evokes a cozy, inviting atmosphere and is perfect for interiors and fashion.

  • She painted the walls of her living room a soft cream to make the space feel larger and more welcoming.
  • He wore a cream sweater that complemented his autumn wardrobe perfectly.
off-white

Off-white is a general term for whites with slight color impurities, like gray or beige tones. It's used when pure white might be too stark or intense, offering a mellow alternative for clothing, paint, and paper.

  • They selected off-white curtains to soften the look of the bright sunshine pouring into the room.
  • The artist preferred off-white canvas for a more vintage appearance in his paintings.

Examples of usage

  • She painted the walls in a soft ivory shade.
  • The bride wore an elegant ivory wedding dress.
Context #3 | Noun

trade

Illegal trade in the tusks of elephants and other animals for the purpose of making ivory goods.

Synonyms

ivory trafficking, tusk trade.

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Word Description / Examples
ivory

The same word 'ivory' can also be used metaphorically when describing a creamy-white color in various contexts.

  • She chose an ivory dress for her wedding.
  • The room was painted in a soft ivory shade.
tusk trade

Refers specifically to the buying and selling of animal tusks, typically elephant tusks. This term also has a negative connotation due to its association with illegal and unethical activities.

  • Efforts to curb the tusk trade are essential for the survival of elephants in the wild.
  • The government imposed strict penalties on those involved in the tusk trade.
ivory trafficking

Used in discussions about the illegal trade and smuggling of ivory, which is a serious environmental and animal conservation issue. This term has a strongly negative connotation.

  • Authorities are cracking down on ivory trafficking to protect endangered species.
  • The documentary highlights the devastating effects of ivory trafficking on elephant populations.

Examples of usage

  • The government cracked down on the ivory trade to protect endangered species.
  • Poaching for ivory continues to be a major problem in many countries.

Translations

Translations of the word "ivory" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น marfim

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคนเคพเคฅเฅ€ เคฆเคพเค‚เคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Elfenbein

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ gading

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะปะพะฝะพะฒะฐ ะบั–ัั‚ะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ koล›ฤ‡ sล‚oniowa

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฑก็‰™ (ใžใ†ใ’)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ivoire

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ marfil

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท fildiลŸi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ƒ์•„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนุงุฌ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ slonovina

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ slonovina

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฑก็‰™ (xiร ng yรก)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ slonovina

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fรญlabein

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฟั–ะป ัาฏะนะตะณั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒžแƒ˜แƒšแƒแƒก แƒซแƒ•แƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fildiลŸi

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ marfil

Etymology

The word 'ivory' originated from the Old French word 'ivurie', which came from Latin 'ebur', itself derived from Ancient Greek 'elephฤs'. Ivory has been prized for its beauty and rarity throughout history, leading to the exploitation of elephants and other animals for their tusks. The ivory trade has been a significant factor in the decline of elephant populations and has led to widespread conservation efforts to protect these creatures.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,233 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.