agate

IPA/ˈæɡət/
KK[ˈæɡət]IPA/ˈæɡət/

agate — noun

  • agatesingular
  • agatesplural

1. a very hard decorative stone that lets some light through and often shows curved

1.nounB2
Definition

a very hard decorative stone that lets some light through and often shows curved or cloudy lines in several colours; it is commonly cut and polished for jewellery

Example

Lan chose a blue agate necklace for her graduation dinner.

agate jewellery item

Vinicius found a smooth agate stone near the river after the rain.

Common collocations
  • agate necklace
  • agate bracelet
  • agate bead
  • polished agate
  • banded agate
Synonyms
  • gemstone

    broader term for any stone used in jewellery; agate is one type

  • chalcedony

    more technical mineral term; agate is a banded form of it

  • quartz

    broader mineral group; agate is a patterned variety within it

Usage Note

Agate is often uncountable when you mean the material in general, but countable when you mean a particular stone or object. It frequently appears before jewellery nouns such as 'agate ring', 'agate bead', and 'agate necklace'.

Common Mistakes

This bracelet is made from an agate.
This bracelet is made from agate.
When you mean the material in general, 'agate' is usually uncountable.
I bought an agate of earrings.
I bought a pair of agate earrings.
Use 'agate' before the noun it describes, not with 'of' in this pattern.

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • piece of agate
  • agate jewellery
  • band of agate