mother-of-pearl

noun

moth·​er-of-pearl ˌmə-t͟hə-rə(v)-ˈpər(-ə)l 

: the hard pearly iridescent substance forming the inner layer of a mollusk shell

Examples of mother-of-pearl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But make no mistake, one mother-of-pearl bracelet is not to be confused with another. —Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 18 May 2025

Signature details of the watch include a radiant purple mother-of-pearl dial, 300 meters of water resistance, and the Oris Red Rotor all-mechanical movement. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

The saber is in good condition, although the blade is slightly blunted and the original mother-of-pearl plates are re-glued, per the auction house. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025

Photo : Getty Images; Glashütte Angela Bassett’s Glashütte Original Serenade Luna What’s not to love about Angela Bassett rocking a mother-of-pearl dial Glashütte Original? —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 6 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1510, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mother-of-pearl

• burl
• churl
• earl
• girl
• hurl
• merl
• merle
• perle
• swirl
• twirl
• whirl
• whorl

Kids Definition

mother-of-pearl

noun

moth·​er-of-pearl

ˌmət͟h-ə-rə(v)-ˈpər(-ə)l

: the hard pearly material that lines the shell of some mollusks (as mussels) and is often used for ornamental objects and buttons