Pearl — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb adjective /ˈpər(-ə)l/

Meaning & Definition of Pearl

Pearl (noun)

  1. a dense variously colored and usually lustrous concretion formed of concentric layers of mother-of-pearl as an abnormal growth within the shell of some mollusks and used as a gem
  2. mother-of-pearl
  3. one that is very choice or precious
  4. picot

Pearl (verb)

  1. to set or adorn with pearls
  2. to sprinkle or bead with pearly drops
  3. to form into small round grains

Pearl (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or resembling pearl
  2. made of or adorned with pearls
  3. having medium-sized grains

Pearl (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. someone or something unusually desirable

    "friends who agree that his new bride is a real pearl"

    similar: catch, gem, jewel, plum, prize, treasure
    related: blessing, find, godsend, goody, valuable, windfall, booty, loot, plunder, spoil, swag, brass ring, glory, pride, gold, jackpot, prize money, treasure trove
    near: lemon, loser

Pearl (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in diamond, jewel

    similar: diamond, gem, impearl, jewel, accessorize, dress up, trap, trick (out), brighten, freshen, smarten, spruce (up), boss, chase, braid, embroider, feather, figure, filigree, fillet, flounce, frill, fringe, furbelow, garland, hang, lace, ribbon, swag, wreathe, appliqué, gild, paint, redecorate, redo, adorn, array, beautify, bedeck, bedizen, blazon, caparison, deck, decorate, do, doll up, do up, drape, dress, embellish, emblaze, emboss, enrich, fancify, fancy up, festoon, garnish, glitz (up), grace, gussy up, ornament, pretty (up), trim
    opposite: simplify, streamline, bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover, uglify, blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil

  2. as in bead, pellet

    similar: bead, pellet, pelletize, bunch, clump, lump, sphere, agglomerate, ball, roll, round, wad
    opposite: unroll, flatten, open, smooth, spread, unfold

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pearl

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pearl:

catch, gem, jewel, plum, prize, treasure, diamond, impearl, accessorize, dress up, trap, trick (out), brighten, freshen, smarten, spruce (up), boss, chase, braid, embroider, feather, figure, filigree, fillet, flounce, frill, fringe, furbelow, garland, hang, lace, ribbon, swag, wreathe, appliqué, gild, paint, redecorate, redo, adorn

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Pearl

Words with the opposite meaning of Pearl:

simplify, streamline, bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover, uglify, blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil, unroll, flatten, open, smooth, spread, unfold

Related Words for Pearl

blessing, find, godsend, goody, valuable, windfall, booty, loot, plunder, spoil, brass ring, glory, pride, gold, jackpot, prize money, treasure trove

Near Antonyms of Pearl

lemon, loser

Word Forms of Pearl

Inflections: pearled, pearling, pearls

Derived words: pearler (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Pearl

Middle English perle, from Anglo-French, probably from Vulgar Latin *pernula, diminutive of Latin perna upper leg, kind of sea mussel; akin to Old English fiersn heel, Greek pternē

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Pearl

pearl essence, pearl gray, Pearl Harbor, pearl millet

Frequently Asked Questions about Pearl

What does "Pearl" mean?

"Pearl" means a dense variously colored and usually lustrous concretion formed of concentric layers of mother-of-pearl as an abnormal growth within the shell of some mollusks and used as a gem. As an a noun, a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: a dense variously colored and usually lustrous concretion formed of concentric layers of mother-of-pearl as an abnormal growth within the shell of some mollusks and used as a gem. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pearl"?

Other words for "Pearl" include catch, gem, jewel, plum, prize, treasure, diamond and impearl. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pearl" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pearl"?

There are 96 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pearl". Common alternatives include catch, gem, jewel, plum, prize, treasure, diamond, impearl, accessorize and dress up.

What is the opposite of "Pearl"?

Antonyms of "Pearl" include simplify, streamline, bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest and expose. Near antonyms include lemon and loser.

How do you use "Pearl" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pearl" in a sentence: "friends who agree that his new bride is a real pearl".

Is "Pearl" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pearl" can be used as a noun, a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Pearl"?

"Pearl" is pronounced /ˈpər(-ə)l/.

What is the origin of the word "Pearl"?

"Pearl" comes from Middle English perle, from Anglo-French, probably from Vulgar Latin *pernula, diminutive of Latin perna upper leg, kind of sea mussel; akin to Old English fiersn heel, Greek pternē. First known use: 14th century.