iridescence

noun ir·i·des·cence \ ˌir-ə-ˈde-sᵊn(t)s \

Definition of iridescence

1 : a lustrous rainbowlike play of color caused by differential refraction of light waves (as from an oil slick, soap bubble, or fish scales) that tends to change as the angle of view changes

2 : a lustrous or attractive quality or effect

See iridescence defined for kids

Recent Examples of iridescence from the Web

Perhaps the same is true for other butterflies like morphos and pipevine swallowtails, which have independently evolved blue iridescence.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "Scientists Can Now Repaint Butterfly Wings," 18 Sep. 2017
There are three iterations of this Ciaté Dewy Stix — a pinky iridescence, an opalescent champagne shimmer, and a translucent glow.

— sable yong, Allure, "7 Highlighters That Will Make You Look As Good As These Glazed Donuts," 27 Oct. 2017
The song ended with Ms. Fleming humming, the effect one of private iridescence.

— corinna da fonseca-wollheim, New York Times, "Review: Renée Fleming at Carnegie, Between Opera and ‘Carousel’," 24 Oct. 2017
At first, they were puzzled because the iridescence is inconsistent—strong in some species, but weak in others.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "Flowers Have Secret Blue Halos That Bumblebees Can See," 18 Oct. 2017
Total transparency is an illusion, especially in energy-efficient buildings, and here much of the glass skin stretches tightly over sections of opaque wall, giving the building a striated iridescence.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "The Views (Real and Virtual) From Cornell Tech," 13 Sep. 2017
Bring a little unexpected iridescence to your daytime look with BECCA’s Liquid Crystal Glow Gloss to help make sure all eyes are truly on you.

— jodie layne, Allure, "What This Week's Horoscope Means for You," 17 July 2017
Iridescence like this happens when the clouds are very thin and are made of similar-sized water droplets.

— angela fritz, Washington Post, "Rainbow iridescent clouds glistened over D.C. on Sunday afternoon," 26 June 2017
View: Greta Agazzi, a 27-year-old MUA from Italy, created this beautiful masterpiece of unicorn iridescence using toilet paper.

— kelsey stiegman, Seventeen, "This Insane Toilet Paper Lip Art Is Actually Stunning," 25 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'iridescence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.