Opalescent
adjective /ˌəʊ.pəlˈes.ənt/ — Showing shifting, milky colours like an opal
Definition
Showing a shimmering, shifting play of colours — reflecting light in a way that seems to change and move, like the surface of an opal.
Beyond the definition
The quality of beauty that refuses to settle into one colour. Opalescent things keep the eye moving, keep producing new versions of themselves.
Origin & history
From 'opal' + '-escent' (becoming, displaying). Opals were prized in ancient Rome as the most beautiful of gems precisely because they contained all colours at once.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The sky at dusk had an opalescent quality — not quite pink, not quite blue, both at once.
Her dress caught the light opalescently — everyone in the room noticed, though few could have explained why.
The inside of the shell was opalescent — holding every colour without committing to any.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Opalescent” when the meaning fits your context: Showing a shimmering, shifting play of colours — reflecting light in a way that seems to change and move, like the surface of an opal.
Synonyms
iridescent, nacreous, lustrous, pearlescent, shimmering
Antonyms
matte, flat, dull
Related words
- iridescent
- luminescence
- viridescent
- colour-light
Questions about this word
What does "Opalescent" mean?
Opalescent is adjective meaning: Showing shifting, milky colours like an opal. Showing a shimmering, shifting play of colours — reflecting light in a way that seems to change and move, like the surface of an opal.
Where does the word "Opalescent" come from?
From 'opal' + '-escent' (becoming, displaying). Opals were prized in ancient Rome as the most beautiful of gems precisely because they contained all colours at once.