pearl
purl
Pearl (noun) means a smooth, rounded gem formed inside the shell of certain oysters and mollusks, prized for jewelry. Example: “She wore a string of pearls to the wedding.”
noun
1
A smooth, rounded gem formed inside the shell of certain oysters and mollusks, prized for jewelry.
"She wore a string of pearls to the wedding."
verb
1
Surfing slang: for the nose of a surfboard to dip underwater, usually causing a wipeout.
"He pearled on the takeoff and got dumped by the wave."
How to use pearl
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe smooth gem grown inside a mollusk shell; in surfing slang, to nosedive a board into the water.
Common pairings
string of pearls
pearl necklace
pearl earrings
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- pearls
- Past tense
- pearled
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She wore a string of _____ to the wedding.
Etymology
From Old French perle, of uncertain origin — possibly linked to Latin perna ("a leg-shaped shellfish") or perula ("little bag"). The surfing sense comes from the resemblance to a pearl diver disappearing underwater.
Related words
Rhymes for pearl
See all rhymes for pearl →Frequently asked questions
What does “pearl” mean?
The word “pearl” means a smooth, rounded gem formed inside the shell of certain oysters and mollusks, prized for jewelry. In plain terms, the smooth gem grown inside a mollusk shell; in surfing slang, to nosedive a board into the water.
How do you pronounce “pearl”?
“Pearl” is pronounced purl (/pɝl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pearl” in a sentence?
Here is “pearl” used in a sentence: “She wore a string of pearls to the wedding.”
What part of speech is “pearl”?
Depending on how it is used, “pearl” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pearl” come from?
The word “pearl” comes from Latin. From Old French perle, of uncertain origin — possibly linked to Latin perna ("a leg-shaped shellfish") or perula ("little bag"). The surfing sense comes from the resemblance to a pearl diver disappearing underwater.
Is “pearl” a common word?
“Pearl” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pearl” have?
“Pearl” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a smooth, rounded gem formed inside the shell of certain oysters and mollusks, prized for jewelry.
What is the difference between a pearl and a gemstone?
Most gemstones are minerals cut and polished from rock, while a pearl is a smooth, rounded gem formed inside the shell of certain oysters and mollusks. This makes the pearl an organic gem, prized for jewelry, rather than a mined mineral stone.
What is the difference between mother-of-pearl and a pearl?
A pearl is the whole smooth, rounded gem formed inside the shell of an oyster or mollusk. Mother-of-pearl is the shiny, iridescent lining of the shell itself, which is the same material that coats a pearl but is used as a surface rather than a standalone gem.
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