pearly

adjective

ˈpər-lē How to pronounce pearly (audio)
pearlier; pearliest
1
: resembling, containing, or adorned with pearls or mother-of-pearl
2
: highly precious

Examples of pearly in a Sentence

Her teeth were pearly white.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Oyster mushrooms can be a variety of hues, although the most common ones in the woods range from a pearly tan to gray or slightly blue. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026 To further change things up from a typical white Air Force 1, Morant’s pearly pair includes thick rope shoelaces instead of the standard flat cotton look. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 19 July 2026 This stunning set is full of quirky details, grounded by pearly base colors and opulent touches of gold chrome. — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 26 June 2026 The oil also contains pearly golden particles, which leave the skin with a subtle shimmer. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pearly

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pearly was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing pearly

Rhymes for pearly

See All Rhymes for pearly

Browse Nearby Words

pearlwort
pearly
pearly disease
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Cite this Entry

“Pearly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pearly. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pearly

adjective
ˈpər-lē How to pronounce pearly (audio)
pearlier; pearliest
: resembling pearls or mother-of-pearl

More from Merriam-Webster on pearly

Nglish: Translation of pearly for Spanish Speakers

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