tortoiseshell

1 of 2

noun

tor·​toise·​shell ˈtȯr-tə-ˌshel 

-əsh-ˌshel

1

: the mottled horny substance of the shell of the hawksbill turtle used especially formerly in inlaying and in making various ornamental articles

2

or tortoiseshell butterfly : any of several showy nymphalid butterflies (genera Nymphalis and Aglais) that have wings mottled with orange and brown or black

tortoiseshell

2 of 2

adjective

1

: made of or resembling tortoiseshell especially in mottled brown and yellow coloring

tortoiseshell glasses

2

: of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat consisting of patches of black, orange, and cream

Examples of tortoiseshell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Smith Embark sunglasses, with timeless tortoiseshell frames and pretty blue lenses, help protect my eyes from the sun. —Jamie Davis Smith, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026

The black grounds the design while the tortoiseshell keeps it soft. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 13 Apr. 2026

Adjective

An InStyle editor shares 15 ways to explore tortoiseshell nails. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 13 Apr. 2026

In that time, a cultural obsession with Bessette-Kennedy's minimalistic ‘90s style has taken over the trend cycle, with fans scrambling to hunt down her signature scent, go-to Levi’s, and tortoiseshell accessories. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tortoiseshell

• tortoiseshell butterfly

Kids Definition

tortoiseshell

1 of 2 noun

tor·​toise·​shell ˈtȯrt-əs-ˌshel 

-əsh-ˌshel

1

: a spotted hornlike substance that covers the shell of some turtles and is used especially formerly to make ornamental objects

2

: any of several showy butterflies

tortoiseshell

2 of 2 adjective

1

: made of or resembling tortoiseshell especially in spotted brown and yellow coloring

2

: of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat that consists of patches of black, orange, and light yellow