iridescent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite varying in color when seen in different lights or from different angles
    shot; changeable; chatoyant.
    • changeable taffeta
    • chatoyant (or shot) silk
    • a dragonfly hovered, vibrating and iridescent
  2. adjective satellite having a play of lustrous rainbow colors
    nacreous; pearlescent; opalescent; opaline.
    • an iridescent oil slick
    • nacreous (or pearlescent) clouds looking like mother-of-pearl
    • a milky opalescent (or opaline) luster

WordNet

Ir`i*des"cent adjective
Etymology
L. iris, iridis, the rainbow: cf. F. iridescent.
Definitions
  1. Having colors like the rainbow; exhibiting a play of changeable colors; nacreous; prismatic; as, iridescent glass.

Webster 1913