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pearl

pearl

119 2.3
A smooth hard round jewel made inside an oyster
  • noun
  • /pɜrl/
: perla
  • A string of baroque freshwater pearls from Scottish rivers, strung with roundels of pierced gold.
  • a string of pearls
  • a pearl necklace
  • cultured pearls

A bunch of Democrats clutched their pearls when Biden pardoned his son.

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Examples

  • A heart carved from mother-of-pearl shell is the only artifact found at Iosepa that might have Polynesian origins.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Seeing, touching, and interacting with the shell and the pearl is a new experience for many of the students.

    Academic text (2013)
  • This once held a pearl as big as your eye.

  • Each should be treated like a fine pearl that is to be studied and appreciated.

    Academic text (2001)
  • And that this island is very rich in pearls and gold.

  • And the beauty of a flawless pearl.

  • Around her neck rests a pearl choker, my father's gift to her for their anniversary.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Inside, resting on fluffy cotton, was a long strand of pearls, perfect for baby's teeth.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The necklace was adorned with a beautiful pearl that shimmered in the light.

  • She was thrilled to find a rare pearl while diving in the clear waters of the beach.

Synonyms

jewel
vspearl
157 1.8

A precious or less valuable stone cut and polished for use in jewelry

is formed inside mollusks and prized for round lustre
stone
vspearl
75 4.5

A hard, shiny gem cut and polished for jewelry

is an organic noncrystalline bead produced inside shell
gem
vspearl
47 1.3

A small valuable stone cut and polished for use in jewelry or decoration

is naturally produced inside shell and valued for its sheen
gemstone
vspearl
15 3.3

A hard, shiny stone cut and polished for use in jewelry

is an organic round lustrous bead formed inside mollusk shells
precious stone
vspearl
6 3.4

A rare valuable gem like a diamond used in jewelry

is valued as a gem but differs by organic marine origin
seed pearl
vspearl
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A very small imperfect round bead made by an oyster and used in jewelry

is larger smoother and more lustrous and valued on its own

Compounds

91 3.7

A harbor in Hawaii where a United States navy base was attacked by Japan in 1941

A smooth shiny layer inside some shells that shows rainbow colours and is used for decoration

A short, wise piece of advice that helps you

1 3.2

A small round onion with a mild sweet taste used whole in cooking

pearl-clutching
  • Offensive
1 9.9

An exaggerated show of shock or moral anger about something seen as wrong

1 6.4

A person who dives underwater to collect pearls from oysters

1 3.0

A pale grey color with a soft, shiny look

seed pearl
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A very small imperfect round bead made by an oyster and used in jewelry

A high cloud that looks shiny with rainbow colors around sunrise or after sunset

A place where people collect oysters to get small round shiny things from the sea

9.0

Small round pieces of corn made by grinding kernels, used for cooking

A tall grass grown for grain used for food, animal feed and making beer

pearl ash
  • Archaic
9.9

A white powder made from wood ashes that people used long ago for baking and soap making

Small round white grains of barley with outer layers removed for cooking

A shellfish that lives in the sea and makes pearls

Small round grains made from tropical plant starch used in desserts

pearl-clutcher
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who is easily shocked and loudly says things are wrong

Being easily shocked and disapproving of things other people find normal

A smooth, shiny surface that glows softly in light

A low-growing plant with small white round flowers like pearls

How Big

ball
∞ 1.0
pearl
119 2.3
marble
58 1.0
bead
121 1.0
speck
66 1.3

Surface Forms

pearl singular
pearls plural

Etymology

Pearl comes from an old Latin word perla that meant a small, round object found in shells. That's why a pearl is the smooth, shiny round gem made inside an oyster.