iridescence

play

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

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

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

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
Sometimes iridescence can be seen far from the sun but is most frequent near to it.

— 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
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
Only on the plane ride home do those elusive, ethereal whooshes of green iridescence finally make their cameo in the night sky — but on the opposite side of the aircraft from where Mr. Dyer and his wife are sitting.

— jennifer senior, New York Times, "Review: Geoff Dyer Asks Why We Visit the Places We Do," 15 May 2016

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.

Origin and Etymology of iridescence

irid(escent) + -escence

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1804

See Words from the same year

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

IRIDESCENCE Defined for Kids

iridescence

play

noun ir·i·des·cence \ ˌir-ə-ˈde-sᵊns \

Definition of iridescence for Students

:a shifting and constant change of colors producing rainbow effects

Learn More about iridescence

Spanish Central: Translation of iridescence Nglish: Translation of iridescence for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about iridescence

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up iridescence? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

iridescence

Definition of iridescence

Recent Examples of iridescence from the Web

Origin and Etymology of iridescence

Other Physics Terms

IRIDESCENCE Defined for Kids

iridescence

Definition of iridescence for Students

Learn More about iridescence

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

glabrous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

"Immune to" or "Immune from"?

What's Going On With 'Nonplussed'?

Welcome to the New Words

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Name that Color!

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Trending: 'Bodega' Startup Draws Criticism, Mockery

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066

iridescence

Definition of iridescence

From the M-W Editors

Recent Examples of iridescence from the Web

Origin and Etymology of iridescence

Other Physics Terms

IRIDESCENCE Defined for Kids

iridescence

Definition of iridescence for Students

Learn More about iridescence

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Trending: 'Bodega' Startup Draws Criticism, Mockery

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066