nacreous

[ ney-kree-uhs ]

adjective

1. of or relating to nacre.
2. resembling nacre; lustrous; pearly:

   a nacreous luster;

   a nacreous sky.

nacreous

/ ˈneɪkrɪəs /

adjective

1. relating to or consisting of mother-of-pearl
2. having the lustre of mother-of-pearl

   nacreous minerals

Other Words From

• sub·nacre·ous adjective
• un·nacre·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nacreous¹

First recorded in 1830–40; nacre + -ous

Example Sentences

Nacreous cloud form in very cold conditions over polar regions and within the stratosphere, about 12 to 19 miles high, far above normal clouds.

From BBC

Looking like a "portal to the next dimension" or possibly a spaceship, the shimmering colours of nacreous cloud were spotted.

From BBC

Nacreous clouds are mostly seen a couple of hours either side of sunset or sunrise and, being so high, they are still lit by sunlight which makes them appear even brighter in our evening sky.

From BBC

One BBC Weather Watcher said "absolutely fantastic Nacreous cloud caught at tonight's sunset with some gulls flying over. What a fantastic sight to behold".

From BBC

Nacreous cloud forms in very cold conditions over polar regions and within the stratosphere, around 12 to 19 miles high.

From BBC

Related Words

• frosted
• iridescent
• milky
• off-white