Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Resembling a pearl in luster or color: Having the soft, iridescent shine or the milky-white color characteristic of a pearl.
   • Decorated with or as if with pearls: Adorned with pearls or pearl-like objects.

2. Noun (informal):

   • A tooth: A humorous or affectionate slang term for a human tooth, often implying it is white and clean.

Usage

• Adjective: Used to describe something that has the visual qualities of a pearl, such as a gentle shine, a smooth surface, or a pale, iridescent color.
• Noun: Used informally, often in the plural form "pearlies," to refer to teeth.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • She wore a dress with a pearly sheen that caught the light beautifully.
  • The morning dew gave the spiderweb a pearly appearance.
• Noun (informal):
  • The baby smiled, showing her two new little pearlies.
  • He flashed his pearly whites for the camera.

Advanced Usage

• "Pearly gates": A metaphorical term for the entrance to heaven, often depicted as gates made of pearl.
  • It's a humorous cliché to say someone has "gone to the pearly gates" when they die.
• "Pearly king/queen": A traditional figure in London culture, specifically associated with costermongers (street traders), known for wearing clothing densely decorated with mother-of-pearl buttons.
  • The Pearly King and Queen of Hackney led the charity parade.

Variants and Related Words

• Pearlescent (adj): Having a lustrous, iridescent quality similar to that of mother-of-pearl or a pearl.
  • The car had a beautiful pearlescent paint job.
• Pearl (n): The hard, rounded object produced within the shell of some mollusks, valued as a gem.
  • She was given a necklace with a single, perfect pearl.

Synonyms

• Iridescent: Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.
• Nacreous: Having a pearly luster, like the interior of some shells (mother-of-pearl).
• Lustrous: Having a soft, radiant shine.

Antonyms

• Dull: Lacking brightness or shine.
• Matte: Having a surface that reflects light diffusely without a shine.

Related Phrases

• Pearly whites: A common informal phrase specifically referring to a person's white, healthy-looking teeth.
  • Regular brushing helps keep your pearly whites bright.

Adjective

1. of a white the color of pearls

Noun

1. informal terms for a human `tooth'