: 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
The dials are vivid and unusual, but thoughtfully paired: jade with pink opal, lapis with lemon chrysoprase and turquoise with coral.
—
Matthew Catellier, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The thin silver chain features pearl-petal flowers with faceted opal and glass beads.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Have your jeweler prepare it to the exact specifications, as given, and then insert the opal into the setting, as shown.
—Charles Portis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
The Toi et Moi, or You and Me, brooch combines opal with double rose-cut tourmaline, aquamarine, chrysoberyl, sapphire, spinel, tsavorite, quartz and white diamond.
—David Belcher, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opal
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.
Matthew Catellier, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The thin silver chain features pearl-petal flowers with faceted opal and glass beads.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Have your jeweler prepare it to the exact specifications, as given, and then insert the opal into the setting, as shown.
—Charles Portis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
The Toi et Moi, or You and Me, brooch combines opal with double rose-cut tourmaline, aquamarine, chrysoberyl, sapphire, spinel, tsavorite, quartz and white diamond.
—David Belcher, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opal
Cite this Entry
“Opal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opal. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opal
noun
: a mineral with changeable colors that is used as a gem
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share