iridescent

/ˌɪrɪˈdesnt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪrɪˈdesnt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌir-ə-ˈde-sᵊnt/ (ame, mw)

iridescent — adjective

  • iridescentpositive
  • more iridescentcomparative
  • most iridescentsuperlative

1. describes a surface whose colour appears to shift and shimmer — like a soap bubb

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describes a surface whose colour appears to shift and shimmer — like a soap bubble, oil on water, or a peacock feather — as you turn your head or as the light moves across it.

例句

Adina watched an iridescent dragonfly hover above the pond at sunset.

iridescent + animal: shimmering wings or shell

The film of oil on Christopher's driveway looked iridescent in the morning sun.

iridescent + film/coating on a surface

同義詞
  • opalescent

    very close synonym; emphasises a milky, opal-like play of colour

  • pearlescent

    soft pearl-like sheen; less rainbow-like than 'iridescent'

  • shimmering

    more general — any wavering shine, not necessarily colour-changing

  • prismatic

    rainbow colours like light through a prism; more technical/scientific

反義詞
  • matte

    dull, non-reflective surface — the visual opposite

  • drab

    lacking brightness or interesting colour

用法筆記

Almost always attributive (before a noun) or after a linking verb such as 'look' or 'appear'. The shimmer must be visible to the eye — abstract things like ideas, voices, or feelings are not described as 'iridescent' in plain English. Common subjects: wings, feathers, scales, shells, bubbles, oil slicks, beads, fabric, paint.

常見錯誤

❌The singer had an iridescent voice.
✅The singer had a bright, shimmering voice.
💡'iridescent' is visual only; it cannot describe sound.
❌iridescent red' (for a flat red painted wall).
✅bright red' or 'glossy red'.
💡'iridescent' requires the colour to actually shift when the angle or light changes, not just be vivid.