as in opalescent
having a rainbowlike play of colors
the nacreous lining of the shell of a mollusk
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Recent Examples of nacreous
Tiffany has a long-standing history with pearls, both nacreous—from oysters and mollusks—and non-nacreous, like Melo Melo pearls.
—
Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 20 Feb. 2021
Unfortunately, nacreous clouds also support chemical reactions that convert benign chlorine-containing molecules into a form that destroys Earth’s ozone layer.
—Rebecca Coffey, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2012
Quahogs produce non-nacreous, porcelainlike pearls, according to the Gemological Institute of America.
—Shannon Marvel McNaught, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2022
Markov processes include an element of randomness—in this case, the thickness of the outermost nacreous layer—but one that can be influenced by the system’s history.
—Leila Sloman, Popular Mechanics, 28 Feb. 2022
An alternative explanation is that the red skies were the result of nacreous clouds common to that particular latitude.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 21 May 2020
Also called polar stratospheric clouds (or less precisely, rainbow clouds), nacreous clouds normally only form in high latitudes and at extremely cold temperatures.
—National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016
The cold air the storm blew in also led to the formation of beautiful nacreous clouds.
—National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016
Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 20 Feb. 2021
Unfortunately, nacreous clouds also support chemical reactions that convert benign chlorine-containing molecules into a form that destroys Earth’s ozone layer.
—Rebecca Coffey, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2012
Quahogs produce non-nacreous, porcelainlike pearls, according to the Gemological Institute of America.
—Shannon Marvel McNaught, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2022
Markov processes include an element of randomness—in this case, the thickness of the outermost nacreous layer—but one that can be influenced by the system’s history.
—Leila Sloman, Popular Mechanics, 28 Feb. 2022
An alternative explanation is that the red skies were the result of nacreous clouds common to that particular latitude.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 21 May 2020
Also called polar stratospheric clouds (or less precisely, rainbow clouds), nacreous clouds normally only form in high latitudes and at extremely cold temperatures.
—National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016
The cold air the storm blew in also led to the formation of beautiful nacreous clouds.
—National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nacreous
Adjective
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But sometimes the criteria for inclusion are murkier, as in Catherine Opie’s opalescent views of Lake Michigan, one for each season, hung with their horizons in line.—
Lori Waxman,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
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The formal coupes are polished using specialty techniques to reveal a reflective, opalescent finish.—
Maria Conti,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Its scales look almost iridescent, and a neon yellow stripe runs down its side.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
4 Aug. 2025
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As previously reported, the bright iridescent colors in things like peacock feathers and butterfly wings don't come from any pigment molecules but from how they are structured.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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The 13-minute show featured over 250 drones creating colorful animations in the sky over Park Avenue in downtown San Jose.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
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Pure Michigan says numerous state parks offer colorful ways to enjoy the outdoors.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Hopping In In the middle of this room sat my ride for the day: The 2025 Gunther Werks Turbo painted in gorgeous pearlescent orange.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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The color is a pearlescent pale green that catches the light and gives the nails a shiny polished effect.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nacreous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nacreous. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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