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
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
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The formal coupes are polished using specialty techniques to reveal a reflective, opalescent finish.—
Maria Conti,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
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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
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Pros & Cons With an iridescent color scheme and a futuristic aluminum design, the Area-51 (starts at $1,999.99; $3,399.99 as tested) is Alienware’s ode to its current brand identity and a showcase for what the best current mobile components can do.—
Matthew Buzzi,
PC Magazine,
26 July 2025
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In rare trips to the deep sea, scientists have uncovered sea cucumbers with purple-magenta ombre coloring; yeti crabs with hairy, feather-like claws; octopuses with ears like the Disney character Dumbo; iridescent mollusks; and phantasmic jellyfish.—
Amber X. Chen,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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All of the chunks were from the west side which was covered by colorful graffiti, and thus more likely to sell.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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This colorful, nonalcoholic drink typically contains a mix of coconut water, citrus juice and certain salts.—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 6 Aug. 2025.
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