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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This holographic look has an opalescent sheen that's simply stunning.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
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Orlando sees their house from a distance below them, small as an opalescent shell.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The story began in the late 19th century, when San Francisco paved over its coastal dunes for development, taking with it a tiny, iridescent butterfly known as the Xerces blue.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Also embedded in the skin are structures called iridophores, which strongly reflect blue-green light and hence are responsible for Hapalochlaena species’ bright iridescent blue rings or stripes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Born Ereunna McCoy, BunnaB captures the spirit of Atlanta through colorful, witty rhymes and catchy adlibs, boosted by her vibrant delivery.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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But the Shedd outlasted the mobsters and Lord knows what else in its home city’s colorful history and now is trying to raise $500 million over eight years in honor of its pending 100th anniversary in 2030.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And, don’t be surprised if your lusher lashes earn you a double-take or two: The formula also features pearlescent pigments for a subtle sheen.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
13 Apr. 2026
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Tiny, pearlescent buttons add an elegant touch and can be worn in the front or the back to maximize outfit versatility.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nacreous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nacreous. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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