noun
Uncommon
opal
OH-puhl
Opal (noun) means a gemstone form of silica that often displays a shifting play of rainbow colors within it. Example: “The necklace was set with a single fiery opal.”
noun
1
A gemstone form of silica that often displays a shifting play of rainbow colors within it.
"The necklace was set with a single fiery opal."
2
A pale, milky blue color flecked with other colors, named after the gemstone.
"The bathroom tiles were a soft opal shade."
How to use opal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA colorful, shimmering gemstone, or the pale iridescent color named after it.
Common pairings
fire opal
opal ring
black opal
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Word forms
- Plural
- opals
Fill the gap
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The necklace was set with a single fiery _____.
Etymology
From Latin opalus, ultimately traced back to Sanskrit upala ("gem, stone"); first recorded in English around 1598.
Rhymes for opal
See all rhymes for opal →Frequently asked questions
What does “opal” mean?
The word “opal” means a gemstone form of silica that often displays a shifting play of rainbow colors within it. In plain terms, a colorful, shimmering gemstone, or the pale iridescent color named after it.
How do you pronounce “opal”?
“Opal” is pronounced OH-puhl (/ˈoʊpəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “opal” in a sentence?
Here is “opal” used in a sentence: “The necklace was set with a single fiery opal.”
What part of speech is “opal”?
“Opal” is a noun.
Where does the word “opal” come from?
The word “opal” dates back to around 1598 and comes from Latin. From Latin opalus, ultimately traced back to Sanskrit upala ("gem, stone"); first recorded in English around 1598.
Is “opal” a common word?
“Opal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “opal” have?
“Opal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a gemstone form of silica that often displays a shifting play of rainbow colors within it.
