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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The aesthetic includes silver, opalescent, and holographic home accents, like the West Elm Pearl Iridescent Glass Votives.—
Jamie Weissman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Dec. 2025
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Tyla’s glam followed suit, with an opalescent smoky eye that complemented the shells and a burst of pink blush by Ngozi Edeme (A.K.A. @paintedbyesther).—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Holographic Shine When thinking of ultimate shine, the iridescent finish of a holographic nail is top-tier.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
19 Dec. 2025
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In addition to the Swarovski pair, Morant also previewed one iteration with an iridescent upper and another in metallic silver.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
16 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Eating a variety of colorful fruits provides essential vitamins that help immune cells develop, communicate, and respond effectively.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
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When the colorful bracts on poinsettia plants fade, prune them away by cutting the bare stems at a leaf node.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Light pink pearlescent French tips are perfectly accompanied by small pearl stones.—
Odeya Pinkus,
InStyle,
2 Jan. 2026
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Chanel nail artist Betina R. Goldstein uses a pearlescent powder to give nude nails a shimmery iridescent shine before placing real freshwater pearls all over.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nacreous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nacreous. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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