jade

IPA/dʒeɪd/
KK[dʒˈed]IPA/dʒeɪd/

jade — noun

1. a hard green stone that is prized for its beauty and is used to make jewellery,

1.nounB1
Definition

a hard green stone that is prized for its beauty and is used to make jewellery, ornamental carvings, and other decorative objects

Example

Madison received a small jade bracelet from her grandmother on her wedding day.

collocation: jade bracelet

The museum exhibit featured ancient jade carvings from the Shang dynasty.

collocation: jade carving

Common collocations
  • polished jade
  • carved jade
  • green jade
  • white jade
  • jade jewellery
  • jade carving
  • jade pendant
  • jade bracelet
Synonyms
  • jadeite

    a specific, rarer mineral type of jade; not a general synonym

  • nephrite

    the more common mineral type of jade; less valued than jadeite

2. an object, such as a statue, carving, or piece of jewellery, that is made from t

2.nounB2
Definition

an object, such as a statue, carving, or piece of jewellery, that is made from the green stone called jade

Example

The antique shop sold a small jade horse from the Qing period.

countable: a jade (an object made of jade)

Linh inherited a collection of ancient jades that had been in her family for generations.

plural: jades = multiple objects

Common collocations
  • ancient jade
  • carved jade
  • collection of jades
  • jade artifact
  • Ming jade
Synonyms
  • jade carving

    more specific — refers to objects shaped by carving

Usage Note

When used as a countable noun, 'jade' refers to a specific object or artifact made of the material. The plural form 'jades' describes a collection of such items.

3. a lively green shade, similar to that of the gemstone jade, that can lean slight

3.nounB1
Definition

a lively green shade, similar to that of the gemstone jade, that can lean slightly towards blue or yellow

Example

The walls of the living room were painted a calm shade of jade.

pattern: shade of jade

Erik chose a scarf in jade to match the colour of his new coat.

Common collocations
  • shade of jade
  • pale jade
  • deep jade
  • jade green
Synonyms
  • jade green

    an alternative name for the same colour

  • emerald

    a brighter and more vivid green; not the same shade as jade

Grammar Patterns

shade of jade

jade + green

jade — adjective

jade — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Jade, emerald, and malachite are all green gemstones or decorative stones, but they differ in composition, value, and typical use. Jade (a collective term for jadeite and nephrite) is a tough, compact stone prized in Chinese culture for carvings and jewellery — its colour ranges from deep green to white or lavender. Emerald is a precious stone from the beryl family, known for its vivid, transparent green and typically cut into faceted gems for high-end jewellery; it is generally far more expensive per carat than jade. Malachite is a softer, opaque green stone with distinctive banded patterns, often used in decorative objects like vases or tabletops but rarely in fine jewellery because it is too fragile for daily wear. So while all three are green stones, jade is valued for its durability and cultural heritage, emerald for its brilliance and rarity, and malachite for its unique decorative patterning. For example, you would wear an emerald ring to a formal event, display a carved jade figure on a shelf at home, and use a polished malachite box to store small treasures.

jade ↗emerald ↗malachite

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • shade of jade
  • piece of jade
  • carved from jade

Prepositions

Etymology

SpanishFrenchEnglish

The word 'jade' entered English from French 'le jade', which was a misreading of the Spanish phrase 'piedra de ijada' (stone of the flank/loin). Spanish explorers brought the term back from the Americas, where Indigenous peoples used jade to treat kidney ailments. The stone was believed to cure pain in the side, which is why the Spanish called it 'loin stone'. Over time the French misread 'l'ejade' as 'le jade', and English adopted the shortened form.