tortoiseshell

American  

[tawr-tuhs-shel] / ˈtɔr təsˌʃɛl /

noun

1. a horny substance of a mottled brown and yellow coloration, composing the laminae that cover the inner body plates of the carapace of certain tortoises or turtles, especially the hawksbill, used for making combs and ornamental articles, inlaying, etc.

2. any synthetic substance made to look like natural tortoiseshell.

3. Also tortoiseshell butterfly any of several nymphalid butterflies of the genus Nymphalis, as N. californica, having variegated markings of red, yellow, or orange on the wings.

---

adjective

1. mottled or variegated like tortoiseshell, especially with yellow and brown and sometimes other colors.

2. made of tortoiseshell.

tortoiseshell British  

/ ˈtɔːtəsˌʃɛl /

noun

1. a horny translucent yellow-and-brown mottled substance obtained from the outer layer of the shell of the hawksbill turtle: used for making ornaments, jewellery, etc

2. a similar synthetic substance, esp plastic or celluloid, now more widely used than the natural product

3. a breed of domestic cat, usually female, having black, cream, and brownish markings

4. any of several nymphalid butterflies of the genus Nymphalis, and related genera, having orange-brown wings with black markings

5. another name for hawksbill turtle

6. 1. a yellowish-brown mottled colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a tortoiseshell décor

7. (modifier) made of tortoiseshell

   a tortoiseshell comb

---

Etymology

Origin of tortoiseshell

First recorded in 1595–1605; tortoise + shell

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tortoiseshell

He was a scholarly analyst who wore tortoiseshell reading glasses and made friends throughout the energy industry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025

The peacock and short tortoiseshell are among the first to spread their wings, with more butterflies emerging from April onwards.

From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2025

The white-and-brown animal stands fish-eyed and proud beside Ebsen, who wears a subtly glamorous ensemble of bell-bottom jeans, dark V-neck tee, and tortoiseshell Prada sunglasses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2025

Scanning a database of 188 cat genomes, Barsh’s team found every single orange, calico, and tortoiseshell cat had the exact same mutation.

From Science Magazine ● Nov. 27, 2024

Mrs. Castleman peered through round tortoiseshell spectacles over the glass case containing the breads and pastries, her gaze just barely skimming the top.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser