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 timepiece features a 17mm rose gold case with an anti-glare sapphire crystal, a white mother-of-pearl dial and quartz movement. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2025

Zigzagging rooftops nod to hawksbill turtle shells, and the beach house–style interiors have beds fringed by gauzy drapes bound with sisal rope and breezy bathrooms with terrazzo floors made from shell splinters and mother-of-pearl. —Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025

This petite cocktail watch is a white gold and mother-of-pearl variation of last year’s model, which had a malachite dial. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025

Through intricate floral embroidery or mother-of-pearl embellishments, Jor-El tells the vibrant stories of coastal life in the Philippines. —Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

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