Opaline
adj.joyful, calmliterary
What it means
Beautifully iridescent or milky like an opal.
Reach for it when describing something with the milky color or gentle iridescence of opal
Opaline tiles brightened the small fountain at the courtyard entrance.
Choose between these
6- everyday
milky
soft cloudy whiteness is the visible quality
not when Milky omits iridescent color.
- everyday
opal-like
a transparent direct comparison is preferred
not when The phrase is descriptive rather than elegant.
- warm
pearly
a soft nacre-like luster is intended
not when Pearl and opal have different optical effects.
- professional
viewing angle changes visible color
not when Iridescence may be vivid and metallic.
- formal
nacreous
mother-of-pearl resemblance needs precision
not when Nacreous is not an exact match for opal.
- literary
shifting opal-like play of color is central
not when Opaline can also mean milky without strong color play.
Said against
3- dull
- clear
- matte
It naturally appears in
3- opaline glass
Opaline glass softened the lamp's evening glow.
- opaline tiles
Opaline tiles brightened the shaded courtyard fountain.
- pale opaline
A pale opaline bead finished the silver clasp.
Where this comes from
Opaline overlaps with opalescent but often emphasizes milky opal color rather than a shifting play of colors.
- wiktionary, English adjective, resembling opal sense opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-27
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.