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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On the lagoon, villas open out onto sweeping wooden decks with opalescent plunge pools, cabanas, floor hammocks that hover over the sea as well as steps that lead right into it.
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Look to opalescent chrome powders, which can shift from pink to blue to green and give a milky white manicure underneath some unexpected pizzazz.
Adjective
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Makeup artist Ernesto Casillas used an iridescent purple eyeshadow all over her lids.
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The photos feature the Queen of Pop leaning forward with her hands on her thighs, showcasing her iridescent purple bodysuit.
Adjective
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Bringing new teenage characters into the Factory, with Kit Connor already announced as lead voice cast, the film appears to be a fast-paced, thrilling and colorful adventure for young audiences, and got enthusiastic feedback from Annecy’s crowds.
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Lasichanh sported colorful sneakers for her footwear, carried a small Louis Vuitton bag and wore delicate jewelry pieces to complete her casually bent attire.
Adjective
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With a simple white line of polish, transform your fingertips into works of art like this pearlescent beige manicure does.
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To my right was a picture of a pearlescent orb floating on a blank field.
Cite this Entry
“Nacreous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nacreous. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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