opalescent

adjective

opal·​es·​cent ˌō-pə-ˈle-sᵊnt How to pronounce opalescent (audio)
: reflecting an iridescent light
opalescence noun
opalescently adverb

Example Sentences

once given away as a cheap prize at carnivals, this opalescent glass is now highly prized by collectors
Recent Examples on the Web And in the final work, all becomes amorphous and opalescent instead of crystalline and distilled. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 11 May 2023 The result is an an opalescent line of tables, lamps, chairs, and vases that take up the atrium level of Nilufar Depot. Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, 22 Apr. 2023 Choose from an iridescent cream that's reminiscent of your favorite pearl earrings, a metallic ocean blue, or an opalescent pink. Lisa Desantis, Allure, 14 Mar. 2023 To achieve the opalescent white color, Kyees used OPI's Throw Me A Kiss. Hannah Kerns, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2023 The medieval technique of stained glass was overdue for modernization when, in 1893, Louis Comfort Tiffany introduced favrile, the color-dense opalescent glass that helped establish his lamps and windows as icons of American decorative arts. Megan Conway, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2022 The Duck Dynasty star's peek at her journal (proposal story and all) also happened to showcase her romantic opalescent oval-cut ring. Alex Apatoff, Peoplemag, 10 Jan. 2023 The wattles of the birds in the jar were this deep royal blue, with opalescent highlights. Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2013 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opalescent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opalescent was circa 1813

Dictionary Entries Near opalescent

Cite this Entry

“Opalescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opalescent. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

opalescent

adjective
opal·​es·​cent ˌō-pə-ˈles-ᵊnt How to pronounce opalescent (audio)
: reflecting an iridescent light
saliva is a viscous opalescent fluid
opalescence noun
opalescently adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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