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

Will these resurrected animals be house-trained and know to exit the pearly gates before doing their business?

From The Daily Beast

It is a good-sized quarter pounder of pearly meat spiced and rolled in Japanese breadcrumbs, then pan-fried to a crisp.

From The Daily Beast

To keep your pearly whites bright and shiny, visit Dr. David Poiman at the NY Center for Esthetic and Laser Dentistry.

From The Daily Beast

Charles Darwin, how was your theory of evolution received when you arrived at the Pearly Gates?

From The Daily Beast

I hadn't the nerve to stand there and tell her she'd never see her father again this side of the pearly gates.

From Project Gutenberg

The species is peculiar for its yellow pearly internal coat, and purplish rays.

From Project Gutenberg

Overhead a bird chirped in loneliness, and the sky slowly turned pearly hued as the paralysis left him.

From Project Gutenberg

Her short black curls were bound about three times with strands of pearly beads, her slim white arms were loaded with bracelets.

From Project Gutenberg

His teeth were of the most pearly whiteness, and he made a constant display of them, grinning and chattering continually.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frosted
• iridescent
• milky
• off-white