pearl

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpər(-ə)l

: 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

: mother-of-pearl

: one that is very choice or precious

: something resembling a pearl intrinsically or physically

: a nearly neutral slightly bluish medium gray

pearl

2 of 4

verb

pearled; pearling; pearls

transitive verb

: to set or adorn with pearls

: to sprinkle or bead with pearly drops

: to form into small round grains

: to give a pearly color or luster to

intransitive verb

: to form drops or beads like pearls

: to fish or search for pearls

pearler

ˈpər-lər

noun

pearl

3 of 4

adjective

: of, relating to, or resembling pearl

: made of or adorned with pearls

: having medium-sized grains

pearl barley

pearl

4 of 4

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For the cover photo, Cabello shared a close-up of a Chanel pearl necklace in her mouth. —

Tracey Harrington Mccoy, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023 The gold and pearl drop earrings and matching rings added a touch of sparkle and their celestial shapes foreshadowed the next ensemble. —

Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 10 May 2023 The work by Othoniel, Golden Lasso, cascades down the store and is reminiscent of the signature Chanel pearl motifs. —

Isiah Magsino, Town & Country, 6 May 2023 The rapper began the night in a pink vintage corset dress by Miss Sohee, complete with 27,000 Swarovski crystals and pearls leading into a silk chiffon train. —

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 May 2023 Kendall changed from her fabulous over-the-top glitter bodysuit and mega-high heels into a shimmering sheer bodysuit with pearl straps. —

Briannah Rivera, Seventeen, 2 May 2023 For his face, Lil Nas was decorated with glittering whiskers, as well as pearls, appliqué, rhinestones and more. —

Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 2 May 2023 Both are dressed in white—him in a simple polo and her in a frilly lace dress and small hoop earrings with white pearls. —

Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Apr. 2023 It's got the pearls, ruffles, and bows of the coquette aesthetic; the seashells and low-rise skirts of the Y2K revival; and the sequin from the 70s disco craze. —

Sarah Maberry, seventeen.com, 8 Apr. 2023

Verb

Up close, it is coursed with rivulets, beaded and pearled with droplets. —

Taymour Soomro Scott Conarroe, New York Times, 10 May 2023 The practice of pearling in the Persian Gulf goes back thousands of years, according to the Western Australian Museum. —

Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2023 Even grains like sorghum and farro may not necessarily be whole since they are frequently pearled. —

Sophie Egan, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2020 Instagram: @juliaclancy Email: food@sfchronicle.com Fresh-Herb Matzo Ball Soup Serves 4 to 6 Changing water into fat-pearled, herb-laced, deeply fragrant broth was one of the first acts of magic taught to me in cooking. —

Julia Clancy, SFChronicle.com, 5 Feb. 2020 Then, as the woman convicted of murder reached out her arms, the judge, still in her black robe and pearled necklace, wrapped her in an embrace. —

Sarah Mervosh, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2019 Barley is sold in a variety of forms: Hulled, hull-less, pearl (pearled), and quick-cooking. —

Darlene Zimmerman, Detroit Free Press, 30 June 2019 Whole grain: Choose from quinoa, emmer farro, einkorn, spelt, whole-grain sorghum (as opposed to pearled), whole-grain barley (again, not pearled), bulgur wheat, freekeh, Kamut wheat, brown rice, black rice, red rice and wild rice. —

Carrie Dennett, The Seattle Times, 28 Nov. 2018 This twist on risotto uses pearled barley instead of Arborio rice for a healthier dish. —

Country Living, 20 July 2012

Adjective

According to the company's online menu, Tiger Sugar also sells black sugar boba with pearl coffee latte and cream mousse, matcha black sugar boba milk with cream mousse, black sugar boba green tea and black sugar boba black tea, along with plent of other options. —

The Courier-Journal, 9 May 2023 The peach number had floral and pearl embellishments for a statement look that set her apart from the other attendees. —

Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2023 The Western Style: This has snap buttons that are usually pearl but can be anything from black onyx to turquoise. —

Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 23 Dec. 2022 This edition features a pearl-white lacquer barrel and a cone embellished with a traditional Victorian pattern. —

Nancy Olson, Forbes, 25 Apr. 2022 The ultra concentrated formula with a 10 micro-pearl applicator energizes, illuminates and lifts the eye contour. —

Cécilia Pelloux, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2021 The pearl-white hull has been engineered to minimize drag and maximize efficiency. —

Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2021 That would officially make this our 12th anniversary, traditionally pearl, but Brian never cast pearls before wine. —

Kevin Fisher-paulson, SFChronicle.com, 22 Sep. 2020 Metallic and pearl paint colors will cost $400 extra. —

Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 19 May 2020 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

alteration of purl

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of pearl was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pearl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pearl. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

pearl

1 of 2 noun

ˈpər(-ə)l

: a dense smooth shiny body that is considered a gem and is formed in layers as an abnormal growth in the body of some mollusks usually around something irritating (as a grain of sand) which has gotten into the shell

: mother-of-pearl

: something like a pearl (as in shape, color, or value)

: a light bluish gray

pearl

2 of 2 adjective

: of, relating to, or resembling pearl

: made of pearls