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marfil

mar-FEEL/maɾˈfil/

“marfil” means “ivory” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

ivory

Also: tusk
NounmB1
A single, elegant elephant tusk resting on a dark wooden surface.

📝 In Action

Las teclas del piano son de marfil.

A2

The piano keys are made of ivory.

El museo tiene una colección de figuras talladas en marfil.

B1

The museum has a collection of figures carved in ivory.

Antiguamente, el marfil era un material muy valioso para el comercio.

B2

In the past, ivory was a very valuable material for trade.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hueso (bone (sometimes used loosely))

Common Collocations

  • torre de marfil – ivory tower
  • talla de marfil – ivory carving
  • marfil vegetal – vegetable ivory (from seeds)

Idioms & Expressions

  • vivir en una torre de marfil – To live away from the practical realities of life, often in a world of ideas.

ivory

Also: off-white
NounmA2
A soft, off-white colored silk ribbon curled on a plain background.

📝 In Action

Ella lleva un vestido color marfil.

A1

She is wearing an ivory-colored dress.

Pintamos las paredes de la sala en tono marfil.

A2

We painted the living room walls in an ivory tone.

Prefiero el papel marfil para las invitaciones porque es más elegante.

B1

I prefer ivory paper for the invitations because it is more elegant.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • crema (cream)
  • blanco roto (broken white / off-white)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • color marfil – ivory color
  • blanco marfil – ivory white

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "marfil" in Spanish:

ivory→off-white→tusk→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: marfil

Question 1 of 3

What is the primary origin of the word 'marfil'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
marfileño(related to ivory; also Ivorian (from Ivory Coast)) — Adjective
elefante(elephant) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Arabic 'al-fīl', which means 'the elephant'. The Spanish word merged the concept of the animal with the material it produces.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: marfim

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'marfil' the same as 'blanco'?

Not exactly. 'Blanco' is pure white, while 'marfil' (ivory) is a warmer, slightly yellowish or creamy white.

Can 'marfil' refer to the animal tusk itself?

Yes, it refers to the material that makes up the tusks of elephants, walruses, and similar animals.

Why is the Ivory Coast called 'Costa de Marfil'?

Because it was historically a major region for the ivory trade during the colonial era.