pearly white

noun

1. white and lustrous as a pearl.

2. Slang.,  pearly whites, teeth.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pearly white¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

An ancient Egyptian recipe for teeth cleanser relies on "salt, pepper, mint, and dried iris flower" to keep the pearly whites pearly white, while medieval Britons relied on "honey, salt, and rye flour."

Read more on Salon

“All Is Flux” is particularly abstract and fluid-looking, an inky black and pearly white photogram depicting a stream of water flowing across still water in a tray.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

On rainy nights on the verdant coastal plains outside Rio de Janeiro, groups of tree frogs sometimes gather around the pearly white flowers of the milk fruit tree.

Read more on Scientific American

The pearly white is classy and elegant against our blue skies.

Read more on Seattle Times

Dicentra ‘Langtrees’, with vigorous gray-green leaves and pearly white flowers, is a compact form that goes summer-dormant.

Read more on Seattle Times