marble
/ˈmɑːbəl/
A dense, polished stone that evokes feelings of luxury, permanence, and classical antiquity. It carries a strong connotation of wealth and institutional power, often associated with museums, government buildings, and high-end architecture.
When used metaphorically to describe skin or surfaces, it suggests a cold, smooth, and pale perfection, often bordering on the lifeless or statuesque.
In a casual context, 'marbles' refers to small glass spheres used in children's games. The idiomatic expression "lose one's marbles" shifts the meaning entirely toward mental stability, suggesting a fragmented or scattered state of mind.
💬Casual Conversation
I'm seriously losing my marbles trying to put this bookshelf together.
I'm seriously losing my marbles trying to put this bookshelf together.
Did you have a bag of marbles? Why were you building near them?
Did you have a bag of marbles? Why were you building near them?
Meanings
Examples
Collocations & Compounds
marble slab
A flat, smooth piece of marble, often used for surfaces like countertops or tables.
marble statue
A sculpture created from marble.
The museum displayed a magnificent marble statue of Venus.
marble effect
A pattern or appearance that resembles the veining and swirls of marble.
marble cake
A cake batter that is swirled with two or more colors to create a marbled appearance.
Idioms & Sayings
over the marble
To be very drunk or intoxicated.
Etymology
The word 'marble' comes from the Latin word 'marmor', which itself derives from the Greek word 'marmaros', meaning 'gleaming stone'. It entered Old French as 'marmier' and then into Middle English as 'marbre' or 'marbil' around the 14th century. Its primary meaning has always related to a type of metamorphic rock used for sculpture and building.