topazes
The plural of "topaz" is topazes.
Nouns that end in s, x, z, ch or sh add -es to make the plural, so topaz becomes topazes.
Meaning: a yellow or blue precious stone (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Use a plural verb with topazes: the topazes are. The possessive plural adds only an apostrophe: topazes'.
How do you pronounce it?
topaz is pronounced /ˈtəʊˌpæz/. The plural ending sounds like /ɪz/, so the plural has one more syllable than the singular.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use an apostrophe to make a plural. topazes means more than one, while an apostrophe shows that something belongs to someone.
Did you know?
- The e in -es makes the plural easier to say after a hissing sound. It adds a syllable: box has one syllable and boxes has two.
Examples in context
- The ring has two topazes.Singular: The ring has a topaz.
- The topazes are blue.Singular: The topaz is blue.
