iridescent
adjective
ir·i·des·cent
ˌir-ə-ˈde-sᵊnt 
: having or exhibiting iridescence
iridescently
adverb
Did you know?
Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, took messages from Mount Olympus to earth, and from gods to mortals or other gods, using the rainbow as her stairway. Iridescence is thus the glowing, shifting, colorful quality of a rainbow, also seen in an opal, a light oil slick, a butterfly wing, or the mother-of-pearl that lines an oyster shell.
Examples of iridescent in a Sentence
an iridescent soap bubble
Recent Examples on the Web
This species is common across eastern Asia and is known for iridescent yellow flowers.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2025
Exploring new techniques and tactile fabrications that emulate raw materials like steel, glass and leather — the Fall collection sees sculptural silhouettes crafted in glossy oil slick vinyls, iridescent silks, metallic lamé and intricate abstract embroideries that emulate tire tracks.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
Available in 15 colorways including denim, iridescent pink and baby blue, the collection is sold at walmart.com and in select Walmart stores.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Noritake: Metallic Collection A metallic glaze gives these Noritake porcelain dishes an iridescent effect that became popular in Europe in the late 19th century.
—Sandra S. Soria, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for iridescent
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Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2025
Exploring new techniques and tactile fabrications that emulate raw materials like steel, glass and leather — the Fall collection sees sculptural silhouettes crafted in glossy oil slick vinyls, iridescent silks, metallic lamé and intricate abstract embroideries that emulate tire tracks.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
Available in 15 colorways including denim, iridescent pink and baby blue, the collection is sold at walmart.com and in select Walmart stores.
—Hannah Malach, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025
Noritake: Metallic Collection A metallic glaze gives these Noritake porcelain dishes an iridescent effect that became popular in Europe in the late 19th century.
—Sandra S. Soria, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for iridescent
Cite this Entry
“Iridescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iridescent. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
iridescent
adjective
ir·i·des·cent
ˌir-ə-ˈdes-ᵊnt
: having or showing iridescence
iridescently
adverb
Medical Definition
iridescent
adjective
ir·i·des·cent
ˌir-ə-ˈdes-ᵊnt
: having or exhibiting a display of colors producing rainbow effects
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