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blue

blue

2 9.0
A small butterfly often having bright blue wings
  • noun
  • /blu/
: mariposa azul
  • The historic range of the endangered Miami blue is shaded in orange.
  • Miami blue

Examples

  • His eyes wereNa beautiful shade of blue.

  • The first priority was to make an in-depth biological study of the Miami blue and the causes of its decline.

    Academic text (2006)
  • By the early 1990s, the known populations of Miami blues were isolated and scarce.

    Academic text (2006)
  • You might not guess it, but this Alcon blue butterfly is a parasite whose offspring will live highly unusual lives.

  • On stage, a young Billie Holiday belts out a soulful blues tune.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The Miami blue had evolved highly specific metabolic pathways that enabled it to tolerate those nasty chemicals.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Entomologists are studying how blues attract mates during their brief lifespan.

  • Many gardeners plant flowers that will attract blues to their gardens.

  • The rare blue butterflies fluttered gracefully around the blooming flowers.

Synonyms

lycaenid
vsblue
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small butterfly with bright, often blue, wings

is the specific subset often with iridescent wing coloring rather than all family members
lycaenid butterfly
vsblue
  • Specialized
9.9

A small bright butterfly often with blue, shiny wings

is narrower and refers only to ones often with iridescent wing coloring

Idioms

out of the blue
  • Informal
111 3.4

Something happens suddenly and without warning

6 5.0

Happens very rarely

black and blue
  • Informal
6 2.1

With dark bruises on the skin from being hit

3 6.5

A sudden event that shocks people and is not expected

You must choose between two options that are both bad

blue murder
  • Informal
1 8.5

A very loud, angry shout of complaint or protest

To start something that quickly becomes exciting or causes strong debate

Acts very quickly and with great force

9.9

To use swear words, often when angry

Compounds

171 1.0

A person with blue eyes

79 3.6

Related to jobs that involve physical work, like factory or construction work

79 1.0

Sky that looks clear and blue during the day

36 1.0

Having a deep blue color

33 1.0

Trousers made of blue denim that people usually wear as casual clothes

31 1.4

A very large whale that is bluish grey and the largest animal ever

26 4.2

A large well-known company whose shares people buy because they seem safe

26 1.0

A pale shade of blue like the sky on a clear day

20 1.0

A deep blue color that has a slight purple hint like a clear autumn sky

19 2.8

A cheese with blue or green veins and a strong flavor

19 1.0

A light, soft shade of blue like the sky

18 1.0

A very dark blue color like a sailor's uniform

blue moon
  • Informal
16 6.1

An event that happens very rarely

16 3.1

A prize given for first place in a contest

15 4.1

A state in the United States that mostly votes for the Democratic Party

13 1.6

A color that is a mix of blue and green

11 5.4

Of very high quality and chosen as the best

11 1.8

A color that is a mix of blue and green

11 6.8

Very loyal and always supporting a person, group, or cause

10 5.1

A range of Appalachian mountains from Pennsylvania to Georgia that look blue from far away

8 7.6

A person who comes from a rich or royal family

7 2.3

A common North American bird with bright blue feathers and a grey chest

7 3.7

A pale blue color with a slight grey tint

6 2.0

Gray with a little blue like the sky before a storm

5 3.1

A deep blue color with a purple tint

5 3.7

A deep, bright blue color with a little green in it

A mountain range in the eastern United States from southern Pennsylvania to northern Georgia

5 3.6

Very dark color that is black with a blue shine

blue-chip stock
  • Specialized
5 4.1

A share of a large, well-known company that is safe and pays steady dividends

5 4.5

A slim, fast shark with a blue back and white belly that lives in the open ocean

4 1.8

A light blue like the clear sky on a sunny day

4 3.4

A bluish crab that lives on North America's Atlantic and Gulf coasts and is eaten for its sweet meat

4 2.1

Deep blue with a little purple like a clear autumn sky

4 3.4

White with a light blue tint

blue wall
  • Jargon
3 9.0

A secret rule among police not to report a colleague's wrongdoing

3 5.3

A blue-covered booklet students use to write exam answers

3 6.1

An independent group of respected experts who study a public problem and give advice

3 2.7

A color that is mainly blue with some gray

3 3.4

A light blue color with a faint purple hint

3 7.4

A symbol showing police protect society from disorder and stand together

3 1.0

A deep, rich blue color darker than normal blue

wild blue yonder
  • Literature
3 7.1

The open blue sky far above the ground

blue-green algae
  • Specialized
3 4.1

Tiny living things in water that make food from light and often look blue-green

2 9.5

An unwritten rule among police officers not to report a colleague's illegal actions to protect them from punishment

cerulean blue
  • Specialized
2 8.6

A light greenish-blue paint color often used for skies or seas

blue law
  • Formal
2 9.3

A law that stops shops and some activities on Sundays or religious holidays

A dark blue color with a little green that artists use for painting

A creamy sauce that has blue cheese and mayonnaise or sour cream

2 6.7

An infant born with blue skin because there is not enough oxygen in the blood

2 8.2

A person who comes from a royal or noble family and has high social rank

2 8.0

Very creative ideas that are not yet practical

2 3.4

A light shiny blue color like the paint on a car

2 6.4

A light blue color used by the jewelry brand Tiffany & Co

blue meanie
  • Offensive
2 9.9

A person who ruins other people's fun by complaining

blue stone
  • Archaic
2 7.8

A blue crystal chemical used to kill fungus on plants and in chemistry

1 7.2

An official report published by the British government, usually bound in blue

1 3.5

A blue color with a grey tone like a metal plate

1 4.6

A large bird with blue-grey feathers, long legs and a long neck that lives near water

Skin that has dark marks after a bruise

blue wall
  • Literature
1 5.6

A group of states or voters that often support the same political party

A light blue like a cornflower with little green

blue jet
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Bright blue electric flashes that shoot up from thundercloud tops into the upper sky

blue book
  • Archaic
1 9.0

A book listing important people and families with high social status

1 3.4

A blue color like the sky when clouds make it less bright

1 9.9

A type of walleye fish with bluish color that lived in the Great Lakes and is now extinct

A blue color with a little green in it

1 3.3

A blue color with a little purple in it

blue note
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A musical note played a bit lower in jazz and blues to sound sad and emotional

1 6.1

A very large blue fish that lives in warm seas and can weigh over 900 kilograms

A calm part of the ocean that has very clear blue water

A blue color with a little purple in it

1 3.9

A blue color with a purple tint

methylene blue
  • Specialized
1 6.4

A dark green dye used to stain cells, act as an antiseptic, and treat cyanide poisoning

Surface Forms

blue singular
blues plural

Etymology

The butterfly name blue comes from the bright blue color of their wings, so small blue-winged butterflies are simply called 'blues'.