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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Nor could anyone ever be a better pal to Leslie than Ann, opalescent tree shark.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
EW.com,
19 Mar. 2025
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Both are members of the botanical family Violaceae. 07 of 10 ‘Gem Apricot Antique’ Viola In addition to their soft, romantic colors, 'Gem Apricot Antique' petals also feature an opalescent cast and violet veining.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Hill's featured a cutout metallic bodice and iridescent cape while Palvin's had a thigh-high slit and a wide portrait neckline.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
5 Mar. 2025
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The silvery, iridescent oarfish was captured on video washing onto the shores of Playa El Quemado in Baja California Sur, making a rare appearance in broad daylight.—
Sydney Borchers,
Fox News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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However, thanks to advances in low-light performance, that’s all changed, with the latest models (and even those a few years old) able to take spectacular photos and impressive videos of colorful aurora.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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But their journey is all show and no stakes, while the visuals are over-wrought with dizzying CGI dreamscapes like a kaleidoscope of colorful slop.—
Staff Author,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In a collection inspired by opulent and grand interiors, Ganni played with velvet-touch zebra denim, cozy knit denim and pearlescent denim.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Mar. 2025
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With a pearlescent finish, the brightening product is another staple in Streets’s kit.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
27 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nacreous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nacreous. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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