tortoiseshell

1 of 2

noun

tor·​toise·​shell ˈtȯr-tə-ˌshel 

-əsh-ˌshel

1

: the mottled horny substance of the shell of the hawksbill turtle used especially formerly in inlaying and in making various ornamental articles

2

or tortoiseshell butterfly : any of several showy nymphalid butterflies (genera Nymphalis and Aglais) that have wings mottled with orange and brown or black

tortoiseshell

2 of 2

adjective

1

: made of or resembling tortoiseshell especially in mottled brown and yellow coloring

tortoiseshell glasses

2

: of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat consisting of patches of black, orange, and cream

Examples of tortoiseshell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The terrified tortoiseshell kitten, later named Mavis, was found on Sunday, September 7 when a passerby saw the white bubble-style bag being thrown into an alley near Clapham Junction station. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

The quickest way to elevate a dinner party, or, for that matter a steaming bowl of Top Ramen, is Sabre cutlery—and not just any Sabre cutlery, but tortoiseshell. —Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Their 105mm rise kept proportion taut, while the cutout ankle strap echoed the house’s ongoing exploration of tactile hardware — recently updated with T-Latch sandals and tortoiseshell-heel variations, as seen on Kylie Jenner walking into the show. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025

In a viral video shared on TikTok in August by Amanda Duréy under the username @mandiiieeeeeee, the poster can be seen lifting her blanket to find her fluffy tortoiseshell cat curled up by her tummy, enjoying a warm nap in the coziest spot. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tortoiseshell

• tortoiseshell butterfly

Kids Definition

tortoiseshell

1 of 2 noun

tor·​toise·​shell ˈtȯrt-əs-ˌshel 

-əsh-ˌshel

1

: a spotted hornlike substance that covers the shell of some turtles and is used especially formerly to make ornamental objects

2

: any of several showy butterflies

tortoiseshell

2 of 2 adjective

1

: made of or resembling tortoiseshell especially in spotted brown and yellow coloring

2

: of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat that consists of patches of black, orange, and light yellow