pearlpearl /pɜːl $ pɜːrl/ ●●○ noun 
a pearl necklace a string of pearls (=a necklace made of pearls)2hard substance [uncountable] a hard shiny substance of various colours formed inside some shellfish, which is used for making buttons or to make objects look attractive SYN mother-of-pearl3pearls of wisdom wise remarks – used especially when you really think that someone’s remarks are slightly stupid: Thank you for those pearls of wisdom, Emma.4cast/throw pearls before swine formal to give something valuable to someone who does not understand its value5liquid [countable] literary a small round drop of liquid: the pearls of the morning dew6excellent thing/person [countable usually singular] old-fashioned someone or something that is especially good or valuablepearl among She’s a pearl among women.
WORD ORIGINpearl
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French perle, from Vulgar Latin pernula, from Latin perna ‘mussel’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- pearl buttons
- Pearls of dew sparkled on the grass.
- a pearl-colored dress
- a pearl of a wife
- a string of pearls
- He noticed she was wearing a string of cheap pearls about her neck.
- If their complexion was their most celebrated feature, then perhaps a long necklace of perfect pearls.
- Island craftsmen make everything from leather goods and raffia to local pottery and beautiful hand-made jewellery using the famous Majorcan pearls.
- The sight of those fracturing red pearls comforted Gao Ma.
- You show me a tweed-skirted twinset and pearl wearer, and I guarantee there's a scarlet bustier pulsating beneath.
WORD SETS
AC, accessory, nounadapter, nounaerosol, nounalarm, nounarm, nounash, nounattaché case, nounbag, nounbar, nounbarrel, nounbeep, verbbeeswax, nounbell, nounbelly, nounbelt, nounbench, nounbenzine, nounbinding, nounbiro, nounbolt, nounbooth, nounbox, nounbox, verbbrad, nounbriefcase, nounbristle, nounbrolly, nounbrush, nounbucket, nounbuckle, nounbuffer, nounbulb, nounBulldog clip, nounbulletin board, nounbullhorn, nounbung, nounbunting, nounbusiness card, nounbutt, nounbutton, nounbuzzer, nouncable, nouncalling card, nouncan, nouncandle, nouncane, nouncarbon, nouncarbon copy, nouncarbon paper, nouncard, nouncardboard, nouncardboard, adjectivecardboard cut-out, nouncard catalog, nouncarrier, nouncarrier bag, nouncarryall, nouncart, nouncarton, nouncartridge, nouncase, nouncaster, nouncatch, nounCellophane, nouncesspit, nounchain, nounchalice, nounchannel, nounchart, nounchute, nouncitronella, nounclamp, nouncleat, nounclip, nounclipboard, nouncomb, nouncombination lock, nouncompartment, nouncord, nouncrank, nouncrate, nouncrepe paper, nouncycle, noundetector, noundial, noundigital, adjectivedisposable, adjectivedrape, verbdrawing pin, noundryer, noundurable goods, nounDurex, nounearplug, nounelastic band, nouneraser, nouneyelet, nounfabric, nounfelt-tip pen, nounfemale, adjectivefence, nounfiberglass, nounfibreglass, nounfigurine, nounfilament, nounfile, verbFilofax, nounfire extinguisher, nounfirewood, nounfitness, nounflag, nounflagon, nounflagstaff, nounflashlight, nounflat, adjectivefloodlight, nounfoam, nounfoam, verbfog, verbfolder, nounfoolscap, nounforecourt, nounfountain, nounfountain pen, nounframe, nounfunnel, nounfuse, noungadget, noungadgetry, noungargle, verbgas, nounglue, noungoggles, noungold card, noungranny knot, noungravel, noungravelled, adjectivegravelly, adjectivegrease, noungreetings card, noungrommet, noungum, noungun, noungunnysack, noungut, nounhand-held, adjectivehandle, nounhandloom, nounharness, nounhasp, nounhealth, nounhessian, nounhinge, nounhip, nounhoarding, nounhoist, nounholder, nounhook, nounhoop, nounhooter, nounhose, nounhosepipe, nounhub, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveillness, nounindented, adjectiveinflatable, adjectiveingrained, adjectiveink, nouninn, nouninnkeeper, nouninsoluble, adjectiveivory, nounjacket, nounjack-knife, nounjoss stick, nounjuggle, verbkey, nounkeypad, nounkey ring, nounKleenex, nounknife, nounknob, nounlabel, nounladder, nounlantern, nounlatch, nounlatchkey, nounlather, nounlather, verbLCD, nounlead, nounlectern, nounlegal pad, nounlens, nounletterbox, nounlever, nounlibrary, nounlid, nounlidded, adjectivelift, nounlight, nounlight bulb, nounlink, nounlinseed oil, nounlitter bin, nounlock, nounlodestone, nounlog, nounloop, verblost property, nounmagnet, nounmagnetic, adjectivemagnifying glass, nounmale, adjectivemantle, nounmanual, adjectivemarker, nounmarker pen, nounmarket day, nounmast, nounmastic, nounmatchstick, nounmaterial, nounmeter, nounmeths, nounmode, nounmortar, nounmortise lock, nounmould, nounmounting, nounmovement, nounnail, nounnameplate, nounnet, nounnib, nounnipple, nounnon-standard, adjectivenoose, nounnotebook, nounnotepad, nounnoticeboard, nounnozzle, nounnut, nounoil, verboilcan, nounoily, adjectiveorb, nounoutfit, nounoutlet, nounovernight, adverbpack, verbpackage, nounpad, nounpad, verbpadlock, nounpaintwork, nounpantyliner, nounpaper, nounpaperclip, nounpasserby, nounpaste, verbpasteboard, nounpatron, nounpatronage, nounpatronize, verbpattern, nounpaving, nounpearl, nounpen, nounpenknife, nounpicket fence, nounpillbox, nounpince-nez, nounpinhead, nounpipe, nounpix, nounpizza parlor, nounplug, nounpocket, nounpocketbook, nounpocket calculator, nounpocket knife, nounpointer, nounpoison, nounpole, nounportfolio, nounPost-it, nounpowder, nounpowdered, adjectivepropellant, nounpropelling pencil, nounpump-action, adjectivePX, nounquarter, verbrack, nounreceptionist, nounreel, nounrefill, nounreflector, nounrefrigerate, verbregimen, nounreservation, nounreserve, verbsachet, nounsack, nounscratchpad, nounscratch paper, nounscreen, nounsealant, nounsealer, nounsearchlight, nounseason ticket, nounseat, nounself-assembly, adjectiveseptic tank, nounservice, nounservice, verbsetting, nounshade, nounsharpener, nounshovel, nounshovel, verbshovelful, nounsilver paper, nounsiphon, nounslat, nounslice, verbslot machine, nounslug, nounsmoke, nounsoot, nounsort, nounspare part, nounspigot, nounsponge, nounspool, nounspout, nounspray, nounspray can, nounspray paint, nounspring, nounstaff, nounstake, nounstalk, nounstandard, nounstaple, nounstapler, nounstationery, nounsteam, nounsteam clean, verbsteel, nounsteel wool, nounstepladder, nounstick, verbstick, nounsticker, nounstilt, nounstopper, nounstorm lantern, nounstrap, nounstreamer, nounstring, nounstub, nounsucker, nounSuperglue, nounswipe, verbswitch, nounswivel, nountab, nountack, nountag, nountag, verbtank, nountap, nountape, nountassel, nountattle, verbtea break, nounthong, nounthread, nountime-saving, adjectivetinder, nountinderbox, nountissue, nountop, nountote bag, nountowel, verbtray, nountrolley, nountube, nountubing, nountwine, nountwo-way mirror, nounumbrella, nounvent, nounvial, nounwaiting room, nounwasher, nounwaste paper, nounwatch, nounwaterspout, nounwheeled, adjectivewhistle, verbwooden, adjectivewriting paper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a pearl necklace a string of pearls (=a necklace made of pearls)COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES All the princes were dripping with gems. She was wearing a coral necklace.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
a pearl necklace a string of pearls (=a necklace made of pearls) All the princes were dripping with gems. (=something that looks like an expensive material but is a copy of it) an imitation fur coat
an imitation fur coat She was wearing a coral necklace.· Jewels to match the colour of their eyes, or their hair, or their skin. Black pearls.· She is wearing a black dress and pearls, and a stole is strewn on the front seat.
· Night after night they sat in the kitchen, adding frills of lace and clusters of tiny artificial pearls.· She was wearing peach silk camiknickers with tiny pearl buttons and trimmed with peach lace.
NOUN· What use are pearl earrings to you?· I loved the pointy beard and razor-sharp eyes, the pearl earring fixed in his left lobe.· It was a pair of pearl earrings.
· A pearl necklace had broken and two liveried servants scrabbled on hands and knees to retrieve the jewels.· It's as if somebody put June Cleaver's pearl necklace and apron on Madonna.· In her most notorious photographs she wears only her triple-string pearl necklace.· Anne's pearl necklace adorned her throat, and her gold ring the third finger of Joan's left hand.
· Meanwhile, in another small saucepan, combine pearl onions and sugar with water to cover barely.· Peel the pearl onions, but leave the root largely intact so the onions hold together.· Add pearl onions and currants and simmer until partridge is very tender, about 30 minutes longer.
· She shall go all in grey and you shall lend her your seed pearls.· He bought her a ring, with little seed pearls and a sapphire.
VERB· Each time, count how many wild-type adults you find and how many pearl eye adults.· All I know is that I never before found a pearl, while tonight all but two mussels have them.
· They were slim, pale and elegant, and she wore colourless or pearl nail varnish.· All the bridesmaids carried posies of spring flowers, and wore antique pearl and gold necklaces and bracelets.· Blue suited her and she'd worn her pearl and diamond brooch because he wanted everyone to see it.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► cast/throw pearls before swinePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a rope of pearls
1jewel [countable] a small round white object that forms inside an oyster, and is a valuable jewel: - Do you have any other pearls of wisdom for us?
- This meant he would occasionally cast in my direction the pearls of wisdom he had accumulated in nine months on the job.
- A string of lights on the prom Dancing mad in the storm Who lives in such a place?
- A string of pearls was around her neck, and the bones of her right hand clutched a Bible.
- Beads can choke babies if swallowed, and long strings of beads can also half-strangle older children.
- Careful inspection of the image showed what looked like a string of pearls embedded in a bright haze.
- There was a cavity beneath with a string of pearls in it.
- When the harbor across the bay becomes a string of lights, foghorns take up the bass.
a pearl necklace a string of pearls (=a necklace made of pearls)2hard substance [uncountable] a hard shiny substance of various colours formed inside some shellfish, which is used for making buttons or to make objects look attractive SYN mother-of-pearl3pearls of wisdom wise remarks – used especially when you really think that someone’s remarks are slightly stupid: Thank you for those pearls of wisdom, Emma.4cast/throw pearls before swine formal to give something valuable to someone who does not understand its value5liquid [countable] literary a small round drop of liquid: the pearls of the morning dew6excellent thing/person [countable usually singular] old-fashioned someone or something that is especially good or valuablepearl among She’s a pearl among women.