: a usually amorphous mineral that is a hydrated silica softer and less dense than quartz and typically with definite and often marked iridescent play of colors and is used especially as a gem
Examples of opal in a Sentence
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The suite consists of chandelier earrings, two bracelets and a ring containing black opals and natural Australian crystals.
—
Lisa Gutierrez
may 18, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
Taylor’s opal jewelry was later sold as part of Christie’s 2011 Collection of Elizabeth Taylor auction, and then sold for a second time by Fox Estate Jewelry via 1stDibs in late 2025.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Like the corundum, however, the size of the opals found on Mars appear to be very small, says Vivian Sun, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 12 May 2026
Back in 2023, NASA’s Curiosity rover spotted opal on Mars—a mineral tied to water and, potentially, environments that could support life.
—Ryan Brennan
april 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opal
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Lisa Gutierrez
may 18, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
Taylor’s opal jewelry was later sold as part of Christie’s 2011 Collection of Elizabeth Taylor auction, and then sold for a second time by Fox Estate Jewelry via 1stDibs in late 2025.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Like the corundum, however, the size of the opals found on Mars appear to be very small, says Vivian Sun, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 12 May 2026
Back in 2023, NASA’s Curiosity rover spotted opal on Mars—a mineral tied to water and, potentially, environments that could support life.
—Ryan Brennan
april 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for opal
Cite this Entry
“Opal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opal. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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opal
noun
: a mineral with changeable colors that is used as a gem
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