iridescence

[ir-i-des-uhns]

noun

1. iridescent quality; a play of lustrous, changing colors.

Other Word Forms

• noniridescence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of iridescence¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; irid- + -escence

Example Sentences

“For example, when you look at oyster shells, they have an iridescence of pearly green and blue, and that’s definitely from minerals like copper,” she says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Tentacular growths begin to invade the offshore structure, shimmering with oily iridescence against the rig’s dull, cold steel.

Read more on New York Times

Out of the 16,724 known species and subspecies of ants worldwide, only a few exhibit blue coloration or iridescence.

Read more on Science Daily

And I think it's because it's got the iridescence to it as well.

Read more on Salon

Her eyes are turquoise and sparkly; her feathers a silky black with a sheen of iridescence, sometimes green, sometimes lavender depending on the light.

Read more on Seattle Times