What does opalesce mean?
Opalesce means to shine with a shifting, changing display of colours, like the play of light across an opal or the surface of mother-of-pearl. The verb is usually intransitive and is used for surfaces, materials, or scenes whose appearance changes as the light or viewing angle changes. It carries a refined, somewhat literary quality and is less common than shimmer, glisten, or iridesce. Although most often literal, it can also describe a brief change in someone’s expression or atmosphere, suggesting a subtle transition from one colour or mood to another. Opalesce is related to opal and to the adjectives and nouns opalescent and opalescence, all of which describe this distinctive, softly shimmering quality.
verbTo shine with a changing play of colours, like an opal; to become iridescent or lustrous in this way.
- To shine with a shifting play of colours, especially like the iridescence of an opal.
- To become subtly luminous or iridescent.
"As the afternoon light shifted across the sea, the surface began to opalesce with blue and green."
"Mother-of-pearl opalesces in the sunlight."
"Her expression opalesced briefly between amusement and concern."
Some stones change colour as they catch the light; opalesce gives that shifting, almost liquid glow a single verb.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of opalesce
The word comes from Latin opalescere, “to shine like an opal,” formed from opalus, meaning “opal.” It was borrowed into English during the 19th century. Its related forms include opalescent, describing something that opalesces, and opalescence, the noun for the quality or state of opalescing.
Related word forms
How opalesce is actually used
Relatively literary and uncommon in everyday speech. It is especially appropriate for describing a surface or colour that changes with the angle of the light.
Easily confused with opalesce
Opalesce is a verb describing the act of shining with changing colours, whereas opalescent is an adjective describing something that has that quality.