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zaffre

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˈzæf.ər/

KK: /ˈzæfər/

noun
Definition

A blue pigment made from cobalt ore, used in art and ceramics.


Example

The artist used zaffre to create a vibrant blue in her painting.


Conversation
Sloth A
Have you ever seen a painting that uses zaffre as a pigment?
Sloth B
Yeah, I saw one at the art gallery last week; the color was stunning!
Sloth A
I love how vibrant zaffre looks, especially against warmer tones.
Sloth B
Totally! It really adds depth and richness to the artwork.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
cobalt
pigment
smalt
Antonyms
colorless
dullness
neutrality
Root Explanation

Zaffre originates from the Old French word *safre*, which means cobalt. It refers specifically to a blue pigment made from cobalt, used in glass and ceramics.

Memory Tip

Think of the Old French word for cobalt, which is used to create a blue pigment. This helps you remember that 'zaffre' refers to a blue color derived from cobalt.

Visually Confused Words
zafree
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