tor·toise·shell
ˈtȯr-tə-ˌshel 
-əsh-ˌshel
1
: the mottled horny substance of the shell of the hawksbill turtle used especially formerly in inlaying and in making various ornamental articles
2
or tortoiseshell butterfly
: any of several showy nymphalid butterflies (genera Nymphalis and Aglais) that have wings mottled with orange and brown or black
1
: made of or resembling tortoiseshell especially in mottled brown and yellow coloring
tortoiseshell glasses
2
: of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat consisting of patches of black, orange, and cream
Examples of tortoiseshell in a Sentence
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Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
The classic cable knit conjures up images of hot cocoa sipped fireside in a mountain chalet, while the collar and oversized tortoiseshell buttons score subtle style points.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2025
Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 17 Oct. 2022
The Telegraph reports: The tortoiseshell and white cat spends its days pacing from room to room, rarely spending any time with patients except those with just hours to live.
—Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2010
See All Example Sentences for tortoiseshell
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Noun
Instead, most female cats with orange fur have patchy patterns — calico or tortoiseshell — that may include black and white.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
The classic cable knit conjures up images of hot cocoa sipped fireside in a mountain chalet, while the collar and oversized tortoiseshell buttons score subtle style points.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
For example, the luxe coat CBK is donning in this image is black, but her headband and sunglasses are tortoiseshell.
—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 17 Oct. 2022
The Telegraph reports: The tortoiseshell and white cat spends its days pacing from room to room, rarely spending any time with patients except those with just hours to live.
—Smriti Rao, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2010
See All Example Sentences for tortoiseshell
Cite this Entry
“Tortoiseshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tortoiseshell. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tortoiseshell
1 of 2 noun
tor·toise·shell
ˈtȯrt-əs-ˌshel
-əsh-ˌshel
1
: a spotted hornlike substance that covers the shell of some turtles and is used especially formerly to make ornamental objects
2
: any of several showy butterflies
tortoiseshell
2 of 2 adjective1
: made of or resembling tortoiseshell especially in spotted brown and yellow coloring
2
: of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat that consists of patches of black, orange, and light yellow
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