iridescent
Shifting with color
Iridescent describes surfaces that shimmer with rainbow-like colors that shift as the viewing angle changes.
The effect comes from light interference rather than pigment—soap bubbles, oil slicks, peacock feathers, and abalone shells are iridescent.
The word suggests something luminous and slightly magical: Her dress had an iridescent sheen that caught the light.
Refracted light arc
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
- holographicMade of light interference patterns
- pearlescentShowing soft iridescence
- nacreousResembling pearl's iridescence
polychromatic · kaleidoscopic · chromatic · multicolored · variegated · dichroic · prismatic · opalescent
Wave bending between media
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- dispersionScattering across space
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
interference · diffraction · angle · thin-film · reflection · transmission · optics
Tremulous, wavering light
- glimmerFaint, wavering light
- sparkleEmit flashing light
- gleamFaint reflected light
- sheenSoft surface luster
luster · glint · twinkle · scintillation · coruscation · flash · flicker · glisten
Lasting very briefly
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- shimmeringGleaming with wavering light
- dreamlikeHazy and fantastical
otherworldly · gossamer · diaphanous · delicate · subtle · elusive · transient · changeable
rainbow
Refracted light arc
- spectralGhostlike or wavelength-related
- holographicMade of light interference patterns
- pearlescentShowing soft iridescence
nacreous · polychromatic · kaleidoscopic · chromatic · multicolored · variegated · dichroic · prismatic · opalescent · mother-of-pearl
refraction
Wave bending between media
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- dispersionScattering across space
- prismLight-splitting optical element
wavelength · interference · diffraction · angle · thin-film · reflection · transmission · optics
shimmer
Tremulous, wavering light
sheen · luster · glint · twinkle · scintillation · coruscation · flash · flicker · glisten · radiance
ephemeral
Lasting very briefly
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- shimmeringGleaming with wavering light
dreamlike · otherworldly · gossamer · diaphanous · delicate · subtle · elusive · transient · changeable · mercurial
shell
Hard outer covering
pearl · glass · crystal · silk · satin · metallic · chrome · burnished · polished · glossy
- Light & Colorhue, shade, tint, brightness, saturation
- patternspattern, chevron, geometric pattern, stripes, plaid
- colorful creaturesmacaw, peacock, parrot, toucan, scarlet ibis
- eye-catchingstriking, conspicuous, noticeable, prominent, eye-catching
- flashyshowy, flamboyant, glitzy, gaudy, garish
- paintshouse paint, primer, basecoat, topcoat, clear coat
iridescentmatte
Non-reflective surface finish
dull · flat · lusterless · non-reflective · lackluster
iridescentmonochrome
Single-color rendering
monochromatic · colorless · colourless · uniform · achromatic
- iridescent blue
- iridescent wingsLight-refracting flight surfaces
- iridescent feathersColor-shifting bird covering
- iridescent cloudsLight-diffracting atmospheric moisture
- iridescent shellLustrous bivalve covering