iridescent

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌɪɹ.ɪˈdɛs.ənt/ See IPA manual

Freq #54291

Meanings

1

adj
having a play of lustrous rainbow colors

An iridescent oil slick.
2

adj
Producing a display of lustrous, rainbow-like colors; prismatic.

Iridescent appearance.
3

adj
Brilliant, lustrous, or colorful.

Iridescent sheen.
4

adj
varying in color when seen in different lights or from different angles

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · having a play of lustrous... nacreous

4 adj · varying in color when seen... changeablechatoyantshot

Word family

Forms iridescence

Derived forms iridesceiridescenceiridescentlynoniridescentuniridescent

Related forms fluorescentluminescent

Etymology

Coined around 1800, from Latin iris, iridis (“rainbow”) + -escent.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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