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
A hard crystalline metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, typically used in sculpture and architecture.
The museum is filled with ancient Greek statues carved from white marble.
A small ball of glass, stone, or clay used in children's games.
The boy spent the afternoon playing marbles in the dirt.
Collocations & Compounds
marble slab
A flat, smooth piece of marble, often used for surfaces like countertops or tables.
The chef prepared the dough on a cool marble slab.
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.
She painted her nails with a beautiful marble effect.
marble cake
A cake batter that is swirled with two or more colors to create a marbled appearance.
For breakfast, we had a slice of delicious marble cake.
marble run
A construction toy where a marble travels down a track.
The children spent hours building an elaborate marble run.
Idioms & Sayings
over the marble
To be very drunk or intoxicated.
After a few too many at the pub, he was well and truly over the marble.
go the whole hog / go the whole nine yards (less common variant: go the whole marble)
To do something completely or to the fullest extent.
He decided to go the whole marble and bought the most expensive car.
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.