iridescent

[ ir-i-des-uhnt ]

adjective

1. displaying a play of lustrous colors like those of the rainbow.

noun

1. an iridescent cloth, material, or other substance:

   new fall dresses of imported iridescents.

iridescent

/ ˌɪrɪˈdɛsənt /

adjective

1. displaying a spectrum of colours that shimmer and change due to interference and scattering as the observer's position changes

Derived Forms

• ˌiriˈdescence, noun
• ˌiriˈdescently, adverb

Other Words From

• iri·descent·ly adverb
• nonir·i·descent adjective
• nonir·i·descent·ly adverb
• unir·i·descent adjective
• unir·i·descent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of iridescent¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; irid- + -escent

Word History and Origins

Origin of iridescent¹

C18: from irido- + -escent

Example Sentences

C. brachyclados' wings are transparent, with black veins and black tips and the upperside of its body has iridescent blue stripes edged with yellow ones while the underside is a bright sulphurous yellow, the researchers said.

From BBC

There were still clouds, but so wispy they had an iridescent sheen like spun sugar.

From Los Angeles Times

You see, much like LiFER Shop’s Butterfly Dress, a Libra is here to dance in a twirly skirt dreamt in a smorgasbord of colors, paying homage to that ever-elusive, always-dazzling creature of the sky, fluttering by and gracing space with an iridescent sheen.

From Los Angeles Times

The clothes: Cocooned hoods, floor-grazing trench coats with a kind of backward veil, cinched jackets with ’80s proportions in leopard-printed pony hair and an iridescent shorts suit the color of rich amber.

From Los Angeles Times

Roan jumped around in a hot pink and electric blue lucha libre wrestler’s outfit made of latex, with iridescent leather accessories including a belt, mask, shin guards and wrist and upper arm cuffs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• lustrous
• pearly
• shimmering