mother-of-pearl

American  

[muhth-er-uhv-purl] / ˈmʌð ər əvˈpɜrl /

noun

1. a hard, iridescent substance that forms the inner layer of certain mollusk shells, used for making buttons, beads, etc.; nacre.

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adjective

1. of or having the qualities of mother-of-pearl, as being iridescent or pearly.

   mother-of-pearl buttons.

mother-of-pearl British  

noun

1. Also called: nacre.  a hard iridescent substance, mostly calcium carbonate, that forms the inner layer of the shells of certain molluscs, such as the oyster. It is used to make buttons, inlay furniture, etc

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mother-of-pearl Scientific  

1. The hard, smooth, pearly layer on the inside of certain seashells, such as abalones and certain oysters. It is used to make buttons and jewelry.

2. Also called nacre

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Etymology

Origin of mother-of-pearl

1500–10; compare Italian madreperla, obsolete French mère perle

Explanation

Mother-of-pearl is a glowing, pearlescent material that's used to make jewelry and ornaments. Mother-of-pearl comes from the inside of oyster and abalone shells. The iridescent mother-of-pearl that comes from shell linings also covers the outsides of pearls — and while all shells have a version of this material inside them, only in certain cases is it so strikingly beautiful. The scientific word for this substance is nacre. The name mother-of-pearl probably comes from a nearly obsolete meaning of mother, "scrum, dregs or leftover filth."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mother-of-pearl

Elsewhere are splendid cabinets with mother-of-pearl inlay, gorgeous enamel accessories, plush velvet textiles and engraved iron swords.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026

One pendant evokes the sea with its swirl of mother-of-pearl, spiral seashells and rivulets of pale gray leather arranged above a piece of bleached coral.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2025

It includes 2 ounces of classic and imperial osetra, potato crisps, blini, 8 ounces of crème frâiche and a mother-of-pearl spoon.

From Salon ● Dec. 17, 2024

They had a mother-of-pearl Bible cover commissioned by Czar Nicholas II. They owned shops on six continents.

From Slate ● May 15, 2024

In the center of the room, on a round wooden table that is painted black but inlaid with light stripes of mother-of-pearl, there is a small iron cauldron.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern