pearl

play

noun \ ˈpər(-ə)l \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of pearl

1 a :a dense variously colored and usually lustrous concretion formed of concentric layers of mother-of-pearl as an abnormal growth within the shell of some mollusks and used as a gem

b :mother-of-pearl

2 :one that is very choice or precious

3 :something resembling a pearl intrinsically or physically

4 :a nearly neutral slightly bluish medium gray

Examples of pearl in a Sentence

She wore a string of pearls.
Pearls of dew glistened on the grass.

Recent Examples of pearl from the Web

The tiara boasts 19 diamond arches, with pearls dangling from each embellished curve.

— michelle darrisaw, Southern Living, "Kate Middleton Was Just Spotted Wearing the Perfect Royal Accessory—Princess Diana’s Tiara," 14 July 2017
The diamond and pearl Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, as Vanity Fair notes, was a wedding gift to Princess Diana and known to be one of Diana's favorite pieces.

— melissa minton, Glamour, "Kate Middleton Wears Princess Diana's Favorite Tiara for State Banquet," 13 July 2017
Quick-cooking pearl barley is a flake that has been partially cooked and dried for quick cooking, similar to instant oatmeal.

— jill wendholt silva, kansascity.com, "Barley, Leek and Asparagus Skillet melds delicate flavors well," 5 July 2017
Sneakers made by Eytys, sunglasses by Carerra, and lots of jewelry in 18k gold and sterling silver with mother of pearl crosses.

— noah johnson, GQ, "Justin O’Shea Debuts SSS World Corp With a Guerrilla Fashion Show in the Streets of Paris," 24 June 2017
They're then topped with purple icing, covered in sprinkles with purple and white edible pearls, and topped off with a fondant mermaid tale.

— danielle tullo, Cosmopolitan, "These Mermaid Cupcakes Are Pure Magic," 21 June 2017
The Duchess of Cambridge stepped to the Royal Ascot today elegantly donning a white lace dress by Alexander McQueen, paired with a matching fascinator and pearl drop earrings.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Middleton Stuns in White Lace at the Royal Ascot," 20 June 2017
The clock, plated in mother of pearl, 18K white gold and crystal, also is diamond- and sapphire-encrusted and is referred to on the dealer’s website as the Asprey & Co. Mystery Clock.

— katherine rosenberg-douglas, chicagotribune.com, "Reward offered for $425K diamond-encrusted clock stolen last month," 20 June 2017
Usually, the hot season is met with a certain amount of pearl-clutching disbelief by people outside of Arizona.

— amy b wang, Washington Post, "It’s so hot in Phoenix that airplanes can’t fly," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pearl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pearl

Middle English perle, from Anglo-French, probably from Vulgar Latin *pernula, diminutive of Latin perna upper leg, kind of sea mussel; akin to Old English fiersn heel, Greek pternē

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Jewelry Terms

bijou, brilliant, chase, facet, lapidary, paste

pearl

verb

Definition of pearl

transitive verb

1 :to set or adorn with pearls

2 :to sprinkle or bead with pearly drops

3 :to form into small round grains

4 :to give a pearly color or luster to

intransitive verb

1 :to form drops or beads like pearls

2 :to fish or search for pearls

—

pearler

play \ˈpər-lər\ noun

Recent Examples of pearl from the Web

The hour markers were pearled, and milled into the champagne dial to pick up its brass hue.

— gary shteyngart, The New Yorker, "Confessions of a Watch Geek," 20 Mar. 2017

First Known Use of pearl

14th century

pearl

adjective

Definition of pearl

1 a :of, relating to, or resembling pearl

b :made of or adorned with pearls

2 :having medium-sized grains

pearl barley

Recent Examples of pearl from the Web

In the book, a navy gilet or waistcoat, pearl necklace, shirt and long pleated skirt also made up the rest of the uniform.

— olivia blair, Town & Country, "Looking Back at the Official Sloane Ranger Handbook 35 Years Later," 18 Aug. 2017
The trend is going strong with pearl tailor-like pins.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "The New Pearls Are No Longer Fussy or Precious," 17 Aug. 2017
Most of the barley found in supermarkets is pearl barley, according to the Whole Grains Council.

— jill wendholt silva, sacbee, "Skillet dish melds delicate flavors well," 25 July 2017
Ashley, on the other hand, went for a streamlined black cocktail dress which also featured a baggy statement sleeve, accented with a white floral detailing, and paired with dangly pearl earrings.

— emily kirkpatrick, PEOPLE.com, "Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Put Their Own Vintage Twist on Bridesmaid Dressing," 25 July 2017
The color white or pearl?) or inputting measurements.

— sam reed, The Hollywood Reporter, "A Ghost Store Takes the Pop-Up Concept to the "Other Side"," 7 July 2017
Most of the barley found in supermarkets is pearl barley, according to the Whole Grains Council.

— jill wendholt silva, kansascity, "Barley, Leek and Asparagus Skillet melds delicate flavors well," 5 July 2017
To cook pearl couscous, stir it into cold water and bring to a boil.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Israeli couscous is terrific in summer salads," 30 June 2017
In the foyer, a large mirror with a mother of pearl frame reflects light onto silver candleholders propped up on a small distressed wooden box.

— madeleine winer, The Courier-Journal, "Nautical flair is all in the details at Fern Creek home," 29 June 2017

First Known Use of pearl

1610

Other Jewelry Terms

bijou, brilliant, chase, facet, lapidary, paste

pearl

noun

Definition of pearl

British

:picot

Recent Examples of pearl from the Web

The tiara boasts 19 diamond arches, with pearls dangling from each embellished curve.

— michelle darrisaw, Southern Living, "Kate Middleton Was Just Spotted Wearing the Perfect Royal Accessory—Princess Diana’s Tiara," 14 July 2017
The diamond and pearl Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, as Vanity Fair notes, was a wedding gift to Princess Diana and known to be one of Diana's favorite pieces.

— melissa minton, Glamour, "Kate Middleton Wears Princess Diana's Favorite Tiara for State Banquet," 13 July 2017
Quick-cooking pearl barley is a flake that has been partially cooked and dried for quick cooking, similar to instant oatmeal.

— jill wendholt silva, kansascity.com, "Barley, Leek and Asparagus Skillet melds delicate flavors well," 5 July 2017
Sneakers made by Eytys, sunglasses by Carerra, and lots of jewelry in 18k gold and sterling silver with mother of pearl crosses.

— noah johnson, GQ, "Justin O’Shea Debuts SSS World Corp With a Guerrilla Fashion Show in the Streets of Paris," 24 June 2017
They're then topped with purple icing, covered in sprinkles with purple and white edible pearls, and topped off with a fondant mermaid tale.

— danielle tullo, Cosmopolitan, "These Mermaid Cupcakes Are Pure Magic," 21 June 2017
The Duchess of Cambridge stepped to the Royal Ascot today elegantly donning a white lace dress by Alexander McQueen, paired with a matching fascinator and pearl drop earrings.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Middleton Stuns in White Lace at the Royal Ascot," 20 June 2017
The clock, plated in mother of pearl, 18K white gold and crystal, also is diamond- and sapphire-encrusted and is referred to on the dealer’s website as the Asprey & Co. Mystery Clock.

— katherine rosenberg-douglas, chicagotribune.com, "Reward offered for $425K diamond-encrusted clock stolen last month," 20 June 2017
Usually, the hot season is met with a certain amount of pearl-clutching disbelief by people outside of Arizona.

— amy b wang, Washington Post, "It’s so hot in Phoenix that airplanes can’t fly," 20 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of pearl

alteration of purl

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1542

See Words from the same year

Pearl

play

geographical name \ ˈpər(-ə)l \

Definition of Pearl

1 river about 410 miles (660 kilometers) long in southern Mississippi flowing south into the Gulf of Mexico

2 — see zhu

PEARL Defined for Kids

pearl

play

noun \ ˈpərl \

Definition of pearl for Students

1 :a smooth rounded shiny usually white body that is formed within the shell of some mollusks (as oysters) usually around an irritating particle which has gotten into the shell

2 :mother-of-pearl

3 :something like a pearl in shape, color, or value