iridescent

adjective

ir·​i·​des·​cent ˌir-ə-ˈde-sᵊnt 

: having or exhibiting iridescence

iridescently adverb

Did you know?

Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, took messages from Mount Olympus to earth, and from gods to mortals or other gods, using the rainbow as her stairway. Iridescence is thus the glowing, shifting, colorful quality of a rainbow, also seen in an opal, a light oil slick, a butterfly wing, or the mother-of-pearl that lines an oyster shell.

Synonyms

• nacreous
• opalescent
• pearlescent

Examples of iridescent in a Sentence

an iridescent soap bubble

Recent Examples on the Web

On top of its iridescent finish, this sunscreen also acts as a dew-enhancing primer that's spiked with hydrating hyaluronic acid, skin-firming peptides, and antioxidant-rich sea lavender extract. —Sarah Han, Allure, 2 May 2025

The striking bathrooms are finished with Italian ceramic tile laid in bold iridescent green hues. —Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

The resulting iridescent shine is just the cherry on top. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2025

The models, not entirely human, wear iridescent garments as delicate as jellyfish themselves, challenging viewers to imagine a world where science and sustainability merge with couture. —Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek īrid-, îris "rainbow, iridescent halo around the moon, a flame, etc." + -escent — more at iris entry 1

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for iridescent

• acquiescent
• adolescent
• arborescent
• coalescent
• convalescent
• deliquescent
• effervescent
• evanescent
• incandescent
• luminescent
• obsolescent
• opalescent

Kids Definition

iridescent

adjective

ir·​i·​des·​cent ˌir-ə-ˈdes-ᵊnt 

: having or showing iridescence

iridescently adverb

Medical Definition

iridescent

adjective

ir·​i·​des·​cent ˌir-ə-ˈdes-ᵊnt 

: having or exhibiting a display of colors producing rainbow effects

iridescence

-ᵊn(t)s 

noun