pearly white

American  

noun

1. white and lustrous as a pearl.

2. Slang. pearly whites, teeth.

---

Etymology

Origin of pearly white

First recorded in 1890–95

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pearly white

The school’s new superintendent, Michael Borgschulte, an amiable lieutenant general with a Bronze Star and a pearly white set of teeth, steps onto the bandstand.

From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2026

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."

From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2023

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.

From Scientific American ● May 6, 2023

Down at Littleneck Beach, just a stone’s throw from the tribe’s casino, crushed pearly white oyster shells fill a small winding path to the shore.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 28, 2022

Now I can see the wall of fog, which has taken on a pearly white quality.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---