cyan (English)

Where does "cyan" come from?

The English adjective cyan is a learned borrowing from Ancient Greek 'κύανος', meaning a shade of blue[1]. This Greek term goes back to Mycenaean Greek 'ku-wa-no'[1], and it is likely derived from Hittite 'kuwannan-', which denoted a precious stone, copper, or a shade of blue[1][2]. The ultimate origin may trace even further to Sumerian 'ku₃-an'[2].

Open questions

• The derivation of the Hittite term from Sumerian is considered a possibility rather than a settled fact. [2]
• The connection between the Greek and Hittite forms involves terms of uncertain ultimate origin. [1] [2]

Full etymology tree

• cyan (English), 'Of the colour cyan.'
  • learned borrowing κύανος (kúanos) (Ancient Greek), 'dark blue enamel, especially used to adorn armour'
    • inherited 𐀓𐀷𐀜 (ku-wa-no) (Mycenaean Greek)
    • borrowed kuwannan- (Hittite)
      • borrowed 𒆬𒆪 (ku₃-an) (Sumerian)

Ancestors

• κύανος (Ancient Greek)

Cognates and doublets

• κυανός (Greek)

Descendants and derived words

• haemocyanin (English)
• hemocyanin (English)

Sources

1. cyan (English) - Wiktionary
2. κύανος (kúanos) (Ancient Greek) - Wiktionary

Updated October 2026

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Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris