opal

noun

ˈō-pəl How to pronounce opal (audio)
: a usually amorphous mineral that is a hydrated silica softer and less dense than quartz and typically with definite and often marked iridescent play of colors and is used especially as a gem

Examples of opal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Made from cast iron, opal glass and decorative gold leaf, the clock combines Victorian and late-1930s elements. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 Towering metal shelves hold everything from opal-glass mushroom lampshades to massive plastic tubs of hardware. — Tara Anne Dalbow, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026 To revamp your next Sunday roast, try this muted blue opal dinner set, a collaboration between the Ark Elements and Laboratorio Paravicini. — Air Mail, 17 Oct. 2026 The dial shows off Australian opal in full force, a dazzling stone that shifts between different shades of blue, depending on the light; the same material is used in between each of the 12 rotating cubes. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opal

Word History

Etymology

Latin opalus, from Greek opallios, ultimately from Sanskrit upala stone, jewel

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opal was circa 1586

Phrases Containing opal

Rhymes for opal

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Browse Nearby Words

opakapaka
opal
opal blue
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Cite this Entry

“Opal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opal. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

opal

noun
ˈō-pəl How to pronounce opal (audio)
: a mineral with changeable colors that is used as a gem

More from Merriam-Webster on opal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about opal

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