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

Topping the great room are mother-of-pearl light fixtures that look like seashells and make music when the wind blows. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025

New in the Ocean Flora chapter is a one-of-a-kind high jewelry timepiece, featuring a mother-of-pearl dial, a turquoise marker at the 12 o’clock position and a diamond bracelet that echoes the motifs seen in this chapter’s high jewelry pieces. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025

The small, four-to-five-inch-long fish are a translucent pink color that seems to shimmer like mother-of-pearl. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 17 Sep. 2025

An antique mother-of-pearl ice cream dish is used as a salt cellar. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 Sep. 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