pearly

[ pur-lee ]

adjective

, pearl·i·er, pearl·i·est.

1. like a pearl, especially in being white or lustrous; nacreous:

   her pearly teeth.

2. adorned with or abounding in pearls or mother-of-pearl.

pearly

/ ˈpɜːlɪ /

adjective

1. resembling a pearl, esp in lustre
2. of the colour pearl; pale bluish-grey
3. decorated with pearls or mother-of-pearl

noun

1. a London costermonger who wears on ceremonial occasions a traditional dress of dark clothes covered with pearl buttons
2. plural the clothes or the buttons themselves

Derived Forms

• ˈpearliness, noun

Other Words From

• pearli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pearly¹

First recorded in 1400–50, pearly is from the late Middle English word peerly. See pearl, -y ¹

Example Sentences

The rock star ended the message by making Walker an offer: "So if I do manage to get through the pearly gates, I'll have a pint of Guinness, please mate, and guess what? I'll pick up the tab. See you later, Johnny. Rock on mate, rock on."

From BBC

It is as Cockney as a Pearly Queen in a three-wheeler Del Boy van.

From BBC

“For example, when you look at oyster shells, they have an iridescence of pearly green and blue, and that’s definitely from minerals like copper,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

When Bruno is taken, Pearly ventures after him, enduring human evil and a challenging landscape to rescue her ursine brother.

From Los Angeles Times

In a logging camp in 1934 New Brunswick, newborn Pearly is raised alongside Bruno, a foundling bear cub given to her father.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• frosted
• iridescent
• milky
• off-white