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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Can from the brand's professional range to get the subtle, iridescent finish but for those tempted to try the look out for themselves, there are plenty of at-home products that can create a similar effect. 
Lottie Winter, Allure, 6 Sep. 2022 The top half of the dress featured an iridescent silvery strapless bustier that flared out into rippled, structured tiers; meanwhile, the bottom half featured a slinky sheath skirt composed of glittering black fabric. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 After tracing a spiked graphic eye design with YSL Beauty’s Crushliner in Noir, Pae misted a setting spray onto an eyeliner brush, dipped it into Sequin Crush Mono Eyeshadow in Bold Blue, and layered it over to iridescent effect. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2022 The dress featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and a cascading cloud of iridescent navy blue fabric. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Aug. 2022 Lizzo dazzled on the Glastonbury stage in 2019, making her festival debut in an iridescent purple leotard. Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 26 Aug. 2022 Green sequins made from iridescent beetles’ wings dot the pattern with shimmering brilliance. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Aug. 2022 Cardi’s version of the outfit was, of course, a bit more grown up, including an iridescent shell bra and a high-waisted, sequined skirt with a thigh-high slit. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 11 Aug. 2022 For a cloud to be iridescent, all the droplets must be close to uniform in size and the cloud needs to be close to the sun from the viewer’s vantage point. Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2022 See More
Lottie Winter, Allure, 6 Sep. 2022 The top half of the dress featured an iridescent silvery strapless bustier that flared out into rippled, structured tiers; meanwhile, the bottom half featured a slinky sheath skirt composed of glittering black fabric. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 After tracing a spiked graphic eye design with YSL Beauty’s Crushliner in Noir, Pae misted a setting spray onto an eyeliner brush, dipped it into Sequin Crush Mono Eyeshadow in Bold Blue, and layered it over to iridescent effect. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2022 The dress featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and a cascading cloud of iridescent navy blue fabric. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Aug. 2022 Lizzo dazzled on the Glastonbury stage in 2019, making her festival debut in an iridescent purple leotard. Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 26 Aug. 2022 Green sequins made from iridescent beetles’ wings dot the pattern with shimmering brilliance. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Aug. 2022 Cardi’s version of the outfit was, of course, a bit more grown up, including an iridescent shell bra and a high-waisted, sequined skirt with a thigh-high slit. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 11 Aug. 2022 For a cloud to be iridescent, all the droplets must be close to uniform in size and the cloud needs to be close to the sun from the viewer’s vantage point. Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2022 See More 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-ˈde-sᵊnt
: having iridescence
Medical Definition
iridescent
adjective
ir·i·des·cent ˌir-ə-ˈdes-ᵊnt
: having or exhibiting a display of colors producing rainbow effects
iridescent
adjective
as in opalescent
having a rainbowlike play of colors an iridescent soap bubble Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- opalescent
- colorful
- nacreous
- pearlescent
- multicolored
- polychrome
- varicolored
- polychromatic
- chatoyant
- variegated
- motley