pearl

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpər(-ə)l 

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

b

: mother-of-pearl

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

ˈpər-lər 

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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• catch
• gem
• jewel
• plum
• prize
• treasure

Examples of pearl in a Sentence

Noun (1)

friends who agree that his new bride is a real pearl

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Same team that was out for blood when precious Kucherov got slashed is clutching their pearls. —Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 18 Dec. 2024

The black shoes, usually retailing for $175 (although they're currently sold-out), feature pearl, silver and jeweled jibbitz to give them a sparkle. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024

Verb

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

Since bead materials can run the gamut—from glass to pearl to wood and beyond—Korn notes that some bead styles are inherently more casual than others. —Aemilia Madden, Harper's BAZAAR, 24 July 2023

Adjective

Kardashian’s modern interpretation of the historic piece included layering it with pearl necklaces and completing the look with an ivory cape-style coat. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2024

In the shots, Farrar sports an all-white suit and Ava complements him in a white halter dress with pearl strap details. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing pearl

• freshwater pearl
• mabe pearl
• mobe pearl
• mother-of-pearl
• pearl essence
• pearl gray
• pearl millet
• pearl of wisdom
• pearl onion
• seed pearl

Kids Definition

pearl

1 of 2 noun

ˈpər(-ə)l 

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

b

: mother-of-pearl

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

ˈpərl 

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

ˈpər(-ə)l 

1

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

2

see zhu