'azure' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'azur', where it referred to the blue stone 'lapis lazuli'.

'azure' changed from Medieval Latin 'lazulum' and Old French 'azur', ultimately deriving from Arabic 'lazaward' (from Persian 'lāžaward'), and eventually became the modern English word 'azure' (and its adjective form 'azured').

Initially, it meant 'lapis lazuli' (the blue gemstone), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'bright blue; sky-blue'.