Meaning

(uncountable) The hard white form of dentin which forms the tusks of elephants, walruses and other animals..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) The hard white form of dentin which forms the tusks of elephants, walruses and other animals.
2. A creamy white color, the color of ivory.
3. Something made from or resembling ivory.
4. (collective, singular or in plural) The teeth.
5. (collective, singular or in plural) The keys of a piano; or, the white keys, as opposed to the black keys (ebonies).
6. (slang, ethnic slur) A white person.
7. (informal) A die (object bearing numbers, thrown in games of chance).
8. Made of ivory.

Example Sentences

“Leave the ivory!” he cried. “Leave the ivory! Dead men have no use for ivory!” Some of the Manyuema started to lay down their loads, but this was altogether too much for the avaricious Arabs.

Ye forgot some o' yer ivories, didn't ye, on th' grass?

to tickle the ivories

Tony had gone into the storage room and gotten two more standing lamps, one placed near the ebonies and ivories.

c. 1846, Alexandre Dumas (translated by William Barrow), The Three Musketeers The triumphant Englishman did not give himself the trouble even to shake the dice; and, so sure was he of winning, that he threw the ivory on the table without looking.

Men that I knew around Wapatomac didn't wear high, shiny plug hats, nor yeller spring overcoats, nor carry canes with ivory heads as big as a catboat's anchor, as you might say.

The walls and ceiling of this drawing-room in Montague Square are painted ivory.

Word Forms

• ivories

Synonyms for ivory

Related Words

When Should You Use Ivory?

Use ivory when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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