Standard Lemma guide

pearlescent

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /pəːˈlɛsənt/
  • General-American: /pərˈlɛsənt/
  • General-American: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɛsənt

1

adj

Meaning 1

Pearl-like, either in color or luster.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: iridescent, opalescent, lustrous, nacreous

Antonyms: matte, flat, dull

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

having a play of lustrous rainbow colors

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an iridescent oil slick
  • nacreous (or pearlescent) clouds looking like mother-of-pearl
  • a milky opalescent (or opaline) luster

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: iridescent, nacreous, opalescent, opaline

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From pearl + -escent. First attested in 1926.