pearl

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpər(-ə)l 

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

wore a string of pearls to the party

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

pearl

2 of 4

verb

pearled; pearling; pearls

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

ˈpər-lər 

noun

pearl

3 of 4

adjective

1

a

: of, relating to, or resembling pearl

b

: made of or adorned with pearls

2

: having medium-sized grains

pearl barley

pearl

4 of 4

noun (2)

British

: picot

Synonyms of pearl

Noun (1)

• gem
• jewel
• prize
• treasure

Examples of pearl in a Sentence

Noun (1)

friends who agree that his new bride is a real pearl

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The star also wore pearl bracelets by the label, totaling 243 Akoya cultured pearls on her wrist alone. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2026

Never lacking in commitment, Ware threw herself into the nightlife in a whirlwind of pearls, caftans, and hairpieces, soundtracking other people’s abandon while remaining exquisitely composed herself. —Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 20 Apr. 2026

Verb

The discovery and export of hydrocarbons in the 20th century transformed relatively small maritime trading and pearling societies into high-income states integrated into global energy markets. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026

In the summer of 2024, while visiting my grandmother in China, my husband gave me a pearl ring and asked if we could be pearled. —Shayla Love, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Though Agnes’ feelings for Garth are quite obvious to viewers — and her pearl-girl friend Daisy (Lucy Halliday ), who also happens to have Garth as her Mayday handler — what Garth thinks about Agnes is much less clear. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026

Her platinum blonde bob pinned with a pearl-beaded clip, the Mad Men alum struck a pose in underwear straight out of the 1960s period drama. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Apr. 2026

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

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1542, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pearl

• freshwater pearl
• mabe pearl
• Mobe pearl
• mother-of-pearl
• pearl essence
• pearl gray
• pearl millet
• pearl of wisdom
• pearl onion
• seed pearl

Rhymes for pearl

• burl
• churl
• earl
• girl
• hurl
• merl
• merle
• perle
• swirl
• twirl
• whirl
• whorl

Kids Definition

pearl

1 of 2 noun

ˈpər(-ə)l 

1

a

: 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

b

: mother-of-pearl

2

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

3

: a light bluish gray

pearl

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or resembling pearl

2

: made of pearls

Medical Definition

pearl

noun

ˈpərl 

1

: perle

2

: one of the rounded concentric masses of squamous epithelial cells characteristic of certain tumors

3

: a miliary leproma of the iris

4

: a rounded abnormal mass of enamel on a tooth

Geographical Definition

Pearl

geographical name

ˈpər(-ə)l 

1

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

2

see zhu