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marfil means ivory — a common term in Beautiful Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: January 21, 2026

✨ Beautiful Spanish

marfil

noun • /[mar-FEEL]/

ivory

Example:

La luna brillaba como marfil.

The moon shone like ivory.

🧠 What does marfil mean?

Marfil is a masculine noun that refers to the hard, dense, creamy-white substance that forms the tusks of animals like elephants, hippos, and walruses. Historically, it has been a highly valued material for carving art, decorative objects, and jewelry. Additionally, 'marfil' is used to describe the color of this material, a pale, yellowish-white shade similar to off-white or cream.

📚 Extra examples

  • La artesana tallaba con delicadeza una pequeña figura en marfil.
    The artisan was delicately carving a small figure in ivory.
  • Eligieron un tono marfil para las paredes de la sala de estar.
    They chose an ivory shade for the living room walls.
  • Las teclas de los pianos de cola antiguos a menudo estaban hechas de marfil.
    The keys of old grand pianos were often made of ivory.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'marfil' has an interesting origin, coming from Arabic. It derives from the term 'ʿaẓm al-fīl', which literally means 'bone of the elephant'. This etymology reflects the historical influence of Arabic on the Spanish language, particularly in relation to trade and valued goods.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "marfil"

Synonyms: blanco hueso, crudo, blanco roto, crema
Opposites: ébano, negro, azabache

🔍 See more beautiful spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'ivory' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'ivory' is 'marfil'.
How do you pronounce 'marfil' in Spanish?
The word 'marfil' is pronounced /mar-FIL/. The stress is placed on the final syllable.
How do you use 'marfil' in a sentence?
Here is an example sentence: 'El mango del cuchillo era de marfil pulido.' (The handle of the knife was made of polished ivory.)
What is the English translation of 'marfil'?
The English translation of 'marfil' is 'ivory'.
Does 'marfil' change for gender or number?
'Marfil' is a masculine noun ('el marfil'). When used as a color adjective, it is invariable, meaning it does not change for gender or number. For example: 'una blusa color marfil' (an ivory-colored blouse) and 'unos zapatos color marfil' (ivory-colored shoes).
Is 'marfil' common in everyday Spanish?
It is moderately common, especially when discussing art, history, valuable objects, or colors. While not used in daily conversation as frequently as basic words, it is well-known and understood by native speakers.
Does 'marfil' have slang or double meanings?
'Marfil' does not have any common slang or secondary meanings. Its use is quite literal, referring to either the material or the color.
Is 'marfil' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The word 'marfil' is used consistently across Spain and Latin America with no significant regional differences in its meaning or application.

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