mother-of-pearl

noun

moth·​er-of-pearl ˌmə-t͟hə-rə(v)-ˈpər(-ə)l 

: the hard pearly iridescent substance forming the inner layer of a mollusk shell

Examples of mother-of-pearl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Zenith edition, meanwhile, adds some jewelry-esqe sophistication to that aluminum look, thanks to 289 spheres that play with texture and shimmering mother-of-pearl inlays. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026

The exhibition opens with an intricate model of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher that Palestinian craftspeople in Bethlehem made of local materials including olive and pistachio wood, mother-of-pearl and camel bone. —Sarah Kozlowski, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026

The result was a gorgeously ornate solid-body guitar, featuring the titular animal under the bridge in mother-of-pearl. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2026

The faux mother-of-pearl button closure adds a bespoke touch. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1510, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mother-of-pearl

• burl
• churl
• earl
• girl
• hurl
• merl
• merle
• perle
• swirl
• twirl
• whirl
• whorl

Kids Definition

mother-of-pearl

noun

moth·​er-of-pearl

ˌmət͟h-ə-rə(v)-ˈpər(-ə)l

: the hard pearly material that lines the shell of some mollusks (as mussels) and is often used for ornamental objects and buttons