onice
/ˈɔ.ni.t͡ʃe/feminine
The English word onyx is translated into Italian as onice.
onice refers to a banded variety of chalcedony.
Meaning: a banded variety of chalcedony (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
onice is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the first syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɔ.ni.tʃe/.
Did you know?
- The Italian word onice shares its ancestry with the English word 'onychology', the study of fingernails.
- The gemstone onice is a classic partner in Italian jewelry design, where it is often set against the deep red of 'corniola' to create a striking aesthetic contrast.
- The term onice is used in Italian to distinguish true banded chalcedony from 'black onyx', which is often just dyed calcite.
Examples in context
- L'anello è incastonato con un bellissimo onice.The ring is set with a beautiful onyx.
- Mi piace il colore dell'onice, è molto affascinante.I like the color of onyx, it's very captivating.
- Ho ricevuto un ciondolo di pietra d'onice come regalo.I received a pendant made of onyx stone as a gift.
- L'onice è una pietra molto bella.The onyx is a very beautiful stone.
- Ha un anello con dell'onice bianca.She has a ring with white onyx.
- Questo tavolo è decorato con l'onice.This table is decorated with onyx.
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are looking at jewelry in a shop.
- MatteoChiara, guarda questo bracciale di onice.Chiara, look at this onyx bracelet.
- ChiaraÈ bellissimo, ma è troppo costoso.It is beautiful, but it is too expensive.
- MatteoHai ragione, cerchiamo qualcosa di più semplice.You are right, let's look for something simpler.
- ChiaraPreferisco l'argento senza pietre.I prefer silver without stones.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onyx” translations and entries onice, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries onice, CC BY-SA 4.0.
