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Glite Dictionary
chatoyant

chatoyant

9.9
Shining with a changing color or light when you look from different angles
  • adjective
  • /ʃəˈtɔɪənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : chatoyante
  • The chatoyant surface of the stone shimmered in the sunlight.

Examples

  • The chatoyant gemstone sparkled beautifully in the sunlight.

  • The jeweler admired the chatoyant effect in the cat's eye gemstone.

  • Her dress was made of chatoyant silk that gleamed with shifting colors.

  • Her dress had a chatoyant quality that changed colors as she moved.

  • The ring had a beautiful chatoyant effect, shimmering with shades of green and gold as the light hit it.

  • He admired the chatoyant silk fabric, which changed color as he moved under the bright lights.

  • The gemstone was known for its chatoyant quality, revealing a stunning play of color from different angles.

Synonyms

iridescent
vschatoyant
12 7.6

Bright colors that seem to change when seen from different angles

is a general change of color or luster, not limited to bright color flashes
opalescent
vschatoyant
1 8.2

Soft, shiny colors on a surface that look like a small rainbow

is more general, naming any color or luster change rather than milky effect
changeable
vschatoyant
1 6.0

Showing different colours when seen from different angles

is used mainly for gem or fabric luster rather than any color change
pearlescent
vschatoyant
1 7.9

A shiny surface like a pearl that shows rainbow colors when you move it

is broader, covering any color or luster change, not only soft sheen
shot
vschatoyant
  • Specialized
1 8.6

Fabric that looks like different colors from different angles

is about the visual change of color or luster regardless of its cause

How Lustrous

dazzling
39 3.9
iridescent
12 7.6
chatoyant
  • Specialized
9.9
lustrous
9 5.3
satiny
3 4.1
dull
31 1.0

Surface Forms

chatoyant positive

Etymology

Chatoyant comes from the French word chatoyer, which has chat meaning 'cat', because people thought the bright line in some stones looked like a cat's eye. So chatoyant describes a surface or gem that seems to change color or shine when you move it, like a cat's eye catching the light.