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.

Synonyms

• nacreous
• opalescent
• pearlescent

Examples of iridescent in a Sentence

an iridescent soap bubble

Recent Examples on the Web

That will include a new iridescent tote, plush blanket, keychain, pin, patches, ringer T-shirt, lilac T-shirt, three-piece cookie set and giant cookie. —Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 25 June 2024

The artist uses iridescent pigments and melting glass with resin and precious metals to make her pieces. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 24 June 2024

After the nails cured, Ishizu applied an iridescent powder and molded the 3D droplets with the brand's Non-Wipe Glossy Top Gelcoat. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 June 2024

Costa's hummingbird: Costa's hummingbirds are small with iridescent green upperparts and a distinctive violet-purple crown on the male's head. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek īrid-, îris "rainbow, iridescent halo around the moon, a flame, etc." + -escent — more at iris entry 1

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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

iridescence

-ᵊn(t)s 

noun