iridescent

[ir-i-des-uhnt]

adjective

1. displaying a play of lustrous colors like those of the rainbow.

noun

1. an iridescent cloth, material, or other substance.

   new fall dresses of imported iridescents.

iridescent

/ ˌɪrɪˈdɛsənt /

adjective

1. displaying a spectrum of colours that shimmer and change due to interference and scattering as the observer's position changes

Other Word Forms

• iridescence noun
• iridescently adverb
• noniridescent adjective
• noniridescently adverb
• uniridescent adjective
• uniridescently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of iridescent¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; irid- + -escent

Word History and Origins

Origin of iridescent¹

C18: from _irido- + _-escent

Example Sentences

From its display case in the museum’s “Stories from Mesoamerica” hall, the iridescent plumage shimmers like a rainbow encased in glass, a tropical interloper to these northern climes.

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Her collection includes the first antique she ever purchased, an iridescent orange vase made of stretch glass, as well as the 1930s-era rocking chair from her parents’ house in New York.

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Some were made from colorful tweed, iridescent fabric or patterned upholstery material.

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There are exquisite medallions and hair ornaments made from iridescent abalone shells and strings of Chumash currency — tiny, doughnut-shaped beads created from carefully cut olivella shells.

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Gandhi said that the estimated value of a male peacock — known for its fabulous, iridescent tail feathers — is $2,000, while a female peacock is valued at around $1,000.

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Related Words

• lustrous 
• pearly 
• shimmering www.thesaurus.com