a smooth, rounded bead formed within the shells of certain mollusks and composed of the mineral aragonite or calcite in a matrix, deposited in concentric layers as a protective coating around an irritating foreign object: valued as a gem when lustrous and finely colored.
something resembling a bead formed in the shells of certain mollusks, such as various synthetic substances for use in costume jewelry.
The pearls on this rosary are made of glass and protected by silver-plated double filigree caps.
something similar in form, luster, etc., to a bead formed in the shells of certain mollusks, such as a dewdrop or a capsule of medicine.
She wiped the pearls of sweat from her forehead.
something precious or choice; the finest example of anything.
An older couple offered us some pearls of wisdom about keeping a marriage healthy.
The pearl of the museum's collection is one of Van Gogh's paintings, but there are many other things worth seeing.
a very pale gray approaching white but commonly with a bluish tinge.
We wanted to paint the walls eggshell at first, but we ultimately decided on a cooler color and went with pearl.
mother-of-pearl (usually used in combination).
His collection includes a beautiful antique pearl-handled revolver.
Printing. a 5-point type.
Also called epithelial pearl. Pathology. a rounded mass of keratin occurring in certain carcinomas of the skin.
to adorn or stud with or as if with pearls.
The crown, newly pearled and gilded, shone in the candlelight.
to make like pearls, as in form or color.
Opalescent discs of abalone shell caught the light and pearled it back in many colors.
to dive, fish, or search for mollusks that produce beads within their shells.
While pearling near the coast, they discovered the remains of a centuries-old shipwreck.
to assume a pearllike form or appearance.
A tear pearled on her lashes.
resembling the gemstone produced by certain mollusks in form or color.
The dress is a lovely pearl gray.
of or relating to pearls.
If you really want to splurge, book a trip to go pearl diving in French Polynesia.
An eco-friendly pearl farming industry could decrease heavy metals in the water and bring economic benefits to this region.
set with a pearl or pearls, or covered or inlaid with pearls or mother-of-pearl.
She wore a navy blue suit and a pearl necklace.
having or reduced to small, rounded grains.
Pearl millet is a common crop of the region.
cast pearls before swine, to offer or give something of great value to those incapable of appreciating it.
She read them Shakespeare but it was casting pearls before swine.
pearls in your oysters, good luck to you (often used when parting or in thanks).
Well, I've got to go now—pearls in your oysters.
a town in central Mississippi.
a female given name.
a hard smooth lustrous typically rounded structure occurring on the inner surface of the shell of a clam or oyster: consists of calcium carbonate secreted in layers around an invading particle such as a sand grain; much valued as a gem
any artificial gem resembling this
See mother-of-pearl
a person or thing that is like a pearl, esp in beauty or value
a pale greyish-white colour, often with a bluish tinge
a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 5 point
of, made of, or set with pearl or mother-of-pearl
having the shape or colour of a pearl
(tr) to set with or as if with pearls
to shape into or assume a pearl-like form or colour
(intr) to dive or search for pearls
What does pearl mean? A pearl is a smooth, rounded bead formed inside the shells of certain mollusks, such as clams and oysters. Pearls are known for being used in jewelry, such as pearl necklaces and pearl earrings. Pearls vary in size and color. They are most commonly an iridescent, milky white, but they can be several other colors, including gray and even black. Although pearls are not stones, the pearl is one of the birthstones for the month of June, along with moonstone and alexandrite. It is associated with the zodiac signs Gemini and Cancer. The word pearl is sometimes used figuratively to refer to something precious or to the finest example of something, such as in the phrase pearls of wisdom. Pearl can also be a girl’s name. Example: My grandmother left me her pearl necklace, and I always wear it on special occasions.
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English perle, from Middle French, from Italian or assumed Vulgar Latin perla (unrecorded), from Latin pernula (unrecorded), from pern(a) “sea mussel,” also “ham, thigh” (compare Old English fiersn, Greek ptérnē, Sanskrit pā́rṣṇi “heel”) + -ula, feminine of -ulus -ule ( def. )
A pearl is a white, round gem formed inside an oyster or clam. Pearl can also refer to something that resembles the gem in color or shape, like a pearl of sweat that forms on your forehead when you're hot. Why is a pearl called a pearl? It isn't clear where the Medieval Latin word perla comes from. Some believe it refers to the shape of the shell in which pearls are found: either pear, like the shapely fruit, or perna, literally "ham," because the shell is shaped like a pig's leg.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her diamond and pearl jewelry was also trendy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026
Catherine wore a pair of Diana's pearl drop earrings to the premiere on Tuesday, as well as the late Queen Mother's amethyst sautoir necklace.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
In one, it sat on a tiny plate beside a chilled vermouth cocktail garnished with a pearl onion on a spear.
From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2026
“This is not just some sort of reactionary NIMBY-ism or pearl clutching.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 21, 2026
The pearl didn’t seem so lucky when she couldn’t tell Alex Rover about it.
From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr
Half a mile down Pearl Street is Frasca Food and Wine, which has had a Michelin star since 2023.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
Among those who objected to the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ participation was Pearl.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
“The U.S. is absolutely vulnerable to a Pearl Harbor in space,” this person told me.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
Jonathan Pearl has kept his home in Marlborough, Mass., even though he has moved out of state for a job opportunity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
Though the smoke cut Charlie’s eyes, he squinted through it at Pearl.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
When cholesterol had been removed beforehand, some structural changes still occurred, but the pearls remained smaller than those in untreated cells, and the same significant slowing was not detected.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 17, 2026
Now, two years later, Harry Styles walks onto that same floor in pearls and a feather boa, singing about tenderness and change and wanting.
From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026
Dolly Parton, the much-loved US singer-songwriter who has died at the age of 80, was known for her pearls of wisdom and humour as well as her music.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Although many were clutching their pearls over what the U.K. tabloids dubbed Megxit, Prince Harry and Markle used their time on the golden coast to tackle a variety of lifestyle, media and entertainment projects.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
Since it was Sunday morning, I was wearing a church dress heavy with lace and fake pearls.
From "Hurricane Child" by Kheryn Callender
Related research has since documented pearled axons in human brain tissue, extending the observations beyond mice.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 17, 2026
It “may very well be” that this pearled shape is the normal state of axons, he says, but more research is needed to come to a definitive answer.
From Science Magazine ● Dec. 2, 2024
I got more crystals that I could attach to the pearled bib.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2023
When we get to the “2% or less” portion of the label, we find wheat gluten, corn meal, pearled barley, rye, triticale and malted barley flour.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 24, 2022
One night when I had finished reading, Gertrude gave me some trinkets—a pearled comb for my hair and a small looking glass with a crack.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
Fishery inspectors relied on local pearling leaders and divers to fill in cartographic blanks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
In the late 19th century, Tamara Surani Fernando notes in “Shallow Blue Empire,” this problem of yield confronted the British, who oversaw the trade of three important pearling sites in the Indian Ocean.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Understanding how mitochondrial pearling works and how it is controlled could provide important insights into diseases linked to mtDNA.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 13, 2026
Johns Hopkins graduate student and study first author Jacqueline Griswold tested the idea but found no effect on axon pearling.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 2, 2024
On the 2nd of November preceding, the pearling schooner Timothy S. had cleared from Cooktown on her lawful occasions for Joannet Harbor in the Louisiades.
From Where the Pavement Ends by John Russell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
