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.
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
Neetu, a 28-year-old farmer, said she used the product on her pearl millet crop and cut urea application by about one-third without affecting yields.
From Barron's ● Jun. 16, 2026
He criticised "pearl clutching and hypocrisy from people who should know better".
From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026
It wasn’t fashioned after anything, but the delicate crystal and pearl whorls had been crafted by a skilled hand.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
I had to keep reminding myself, especially at the beginning, to not put those things in the forefront of our minds, unless, of course, like you’re a Pearl girl who has prior knowledge of everything.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
Then, over the weekend, two China-bound, Hong Kong-flagged supertankers, New Explorer and New Pearl, exited the Red Sea via Bab al-Mandeb loaded with Saudi crude.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
The actor reportedly purchased the property through an LLC attached to Pearl Street Films, the production company he shares with Affleck.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the 17-year-old who would become my father lied about his age to enlist in the Marines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
Pearl tapped her map and said, “I myself have no intention of visiting any of these places.”
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Hardware is a universal classic — as much as diamonds or pearls are a universal classic.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
The portrait features an Indian woman in a formal pose, wearing a string of pearls, a large emerald pendant and a nose ring.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
His Bedouin ancestors earned great wealth pearl diving—until foreign farmed pearls tanked the market and left the local economy in shambles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Rather, the book shares lessons she’s taken from years of therapy in the form of well-dressed animals dropping pearls of compassionate wisdom.
From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026
Blue dress flouncing, a couple of hundred strands of pearls draped around her, an ivory cane that she didn’t really need.
From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt
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
Here’s how she added heft without too many more steps: First, you’ll boil some lentils in a pot of salted water, and when they’re about halfway done, you’ll add pearled couscous.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 4, 2022
It starts by simmering pearled farro with fresh apple cider, bay leaves and salt in a saucepan.
From Salon ● Feb. 6, 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
Along the warm, brackish waters of the Persian Gulf, drilling rigs now overlook old pearling grounds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Fishery inspectors relied on local pearling leaders and divers to fill in cartographic blanks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Watanabe had initially seen repeated axon pearling in the nervous system of worms and grew more curious about the structures after a discussion with Swiss scientist Graham Knott, Ph.D.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 2, 2024
The pearling phenomenon is likely conserved over millions of years, Burkhardt says.
From Science Magazine ● Dec. 2, 2024
"I have something more in his line than pearling."
From The Second String by Nat Gould
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.
