as in opalescent
having a rainbowlike play of colors
the nacreous lining of the shell of a mollusk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
The formal coupes are polished using specialty techniques to reveal a reflective, opalescent finish.—
Maria Conti,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
-
In the crowd, Taraji P. Henson and her hairstylist Tym Wallace showed up in matching opalescent grills with the former in a dirty blonde pompadour pixie.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
The males also have an iridescent red throat and the females have brownish crowns and sides.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
The same phenomenon can also be seen at play in the iridescent surfaces or soap bubbles and on butterfly wings.—
Ian Randall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Not to mention, the pastry pink shade is perfect for bright, colorful summer outfits.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
8 July 2025
-
Mexico draws travelers for its irresistible regional cuisines, colorful textiles and art, and millennia-old traditions—all of which are well-reflected in the country’s eclectic hotels.—
Sarah Bruning,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
The double-sided stick—one metallic and the other foil—is attached by a magnetic base to mix-and-match pearlescent, sheer foils with full coverage, dimensional metallics.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
11 July 2025
-
One of the style’s most contentious points among purists is its pearlescent finish, which has shifted to varying shades over the shoe’s many reissues.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nacreous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nacreous. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share