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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nacreous
Adjective
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This holographic look has an opalescent sheen that's simply stunning.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
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Orlando sees their house from a distance below them, small as an opalescent shell.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Males of the species are mostly emerald green with a blue-green throat and a long, iridescent purple and blue tail.—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
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Also embedded in the skin are structures called iridophores, which strongly reflect blue-green light and hence are responsible for Hapalochlaena species’ bright iridescent blue rings or stripes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Next came Chase Infiniti, wearing a colorful trompe-l’oeil Thom Browne dress (another Venus de Milo tribute).—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
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Try a colorful coverlet to make an eye-catching statement, add a light and airy layer over your comforter for a seasonal refresh, or trade a modern design for traditional patterns to make your space feel effortlessly more inviting.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Other renditions of the granny mani happen to fit into the season’s top trending looks, like a semi-sheer pearlescent coat or a timeless ballet-slipper pink.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2026
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Tiny, pearlescent buttons add an elegant touch and can be worn in the front or the back to maximize outfit versatility.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nacreous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nacreous. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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