opalescent
adjective
opal·es·cent ˌō-pə-ˈle-sᵊnt 
: reflecting an iridescent light
opalescence
ˌō-pə-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s
noun opalescently
ˌō-pə-ˈle-sᵊnt-lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- iridescent
- nacreous
- pearlescent
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
once given away as a cheap prize at carnivals, this opalescent glass is now highly prized by collectors
Recent Examples on the Web To achieve the opalescent white color, Kyees used OPI's Throw Me A Kiss. 
Hannah Kerns, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2022 The opalescent dress had a body-hugging, skintight silhouette and was completely covered in shimmering beads. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Aug. 2022 The suit's oversized blazer was adorned with opalescent buttons, and the loose-fitting, pleated trousers sat mid-rise on Plaza's waist, exposing her belly button. Melody Leibner, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Aug. 2022 Each icy blue nail was filled with opalescent jewels of various sizes running straight down the middle. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 5 July 2022 The white lamé dress embroidered with opalescent crystals was a showstopper, but also meshed perfectly with Barbaro’s style. Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 6 May 2022 The pinky fingers were a sheer pink jelly finish with opalescent flecks that were encapsulated in the nail. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 1 Dec. 2021 Some of the nails also came along with some opalescent jewels. Sara Miranda, Allure, 22 Nov. 2021 Kilims underlay altars from Thailand alongside opalescent glass and incense burners and mid-century Czech light fixtures and tables extracted from ancient French farmhouses and on and on and on. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 16 Sep. 2021 See More
Hannah Kerns, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2022 The opalescent dress had a body-hugging, skintight silhouette and was completely covered in shimmering beads. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Aug. 2022 The suit's oversized blazer was adorned with opalescent buttons, and the loose-fitting, pleated trousers sat mid-rise on Plaza's waist, exposing her belly button. Melody Leibner, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Aug. 2022 Each icy blue nail was filled with opalescent jewels of various sizes running straight down the middle. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 5 July 2022 The white lamé dress embroidered with opalescent crystals was a showstopper, but also meshed perfectly with Barbaro’s style. Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 6 May 2022 The pinky fingers were a sheer pink jelly finish with opalescent flecks that were encapsulated in the nail. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 1 Dec. 2021 Some of the nails also came along with some opalescent jewels. Sara Miranda, Allure, 22 Nov. 2021 Kilims underlay altars from Thailand alongside opalescent glass and incense burners and mid-century Czech light fixtures and tables extracted from ancient French farmhouses and on and on and on. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 16 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1813, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
opalescent
adjective
opal·es·cent ˌō-pə-ˈles-ᵊnt
: reflecting an iridescent light
saliva is a viscous opalescent fluid
opalescently
adverb
as in flaringly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- flaringly
- flickeringly
- glitteringly
- pellucidly
- blindingly
- glaringly
- burningly
- lambently
- flamingly
- blazingly
- bright
- fulgently
- incandescently
- radiantly
- luminously
- dazzlingly
- glowingly
- lustrously
- brilliantly
- splendidly
- brightly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dimly
- dully
- darkly
- obscurely
- gloomily
- somberly
- duskily
- cloudily
- murkily
- shadily
- shadowily