pearl

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: a dense variously colored and usually lustrous concretion formed of concentric layers of mother-of-pearl as an abnormal growth within the shell of some mollusks and used as a gem
2
: one that is very choice or precious
3
: something resembling a pearl intrinsically or physically
4
: a nearly neutral slightly bluish medium gray

pearl

2 of 4

verb

pearled; pearling; pearls

transitive verb

1
: to set or adorn with pearls
2
: to sprinkle or bead with pearly drops
3
: to form into small round grains
4
: to give a pearly color or luster to

intransitive verb

1
: to form drops or beads like pearls
2
: to fish or search for pearls
pearler noun

pearl

3 of 4

adjective

1
a
: of, relating to, or resembling pearl
b
: made of or adorned with pearls
2
: having medium-sized grains
pearl barley

pearl

4 of 4

noun (2)

British
: picot

Examples of pearl in a Sentence

Noun (1) friends who agree that his new bride is a real pearl
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
For something subtler, try Sara Cristina’s linen kaftan, adorned with a single delicate pearl in the front. Talia Abbas, Vogue, 7 July 2025 For something more classic, the Baroque Pearl Pendant pairs timeless pearl styling with a waterproof chain — elegance with peace of mind. Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 4 July 2025
Verb
Water simply pearled on the surface without penetrating the membrane, and even the shoes’ exterior dried pretty quickly once the clouds parted and the sun came out. Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2025 Condensation began to pearl at the edges of his rental face mask, an older model that pressed uncomfortably against his temples. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Mirren wore pearl droplet earrings with a black fascinator adorned with a floral appliqué to top it all off. Rachel Flynn, People.com, 26 May 2025 The actress accessorized with a pearl belt and pair of black sunglasses. Catherine Santino, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pearl

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English perle, from Anglo-French, probably from Vulgar Latin *pernula, diminutive of Latin perna upper leg, kind of sea mussel; akin to Old English fiersn heel, Greek pternē

Noun (2)

alteration of purl

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pearl was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pearl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pearl. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

pearl

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a dense smooth shiny body that is considered a gem and is formed in layers as an abnormal growth in the body of some mollusks usually around something irritating (as a grain of sand) which has gotten into the shell
2
: something like a pearl (as in shape, color, or value)
3
: a light bluish gray

pearl

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or resembling pearl
2
: made of pearls

Medical Definition

pearl

noun
1
: perle
2
: one of the rounded concentric masses of squamous epithelial cells characteristic of certain tumors
3
: a miliary leproma of the iris
4
: a rounded abnormal mass of enamel on a tooth

Geographical Definition

Pearl

geographical name

1
river about 410 miles (660 kilometers) long in southern Mississippi flowing south into the Gulf of Mexico
2
see zhu

More from Merriam-Webster on pearl

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