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
Recent Examples on the Web
Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
To create this version, nail artist Hannah Flanagan applied a glassy yellow base before adding the black and brown details to create tortoiseshell spots.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 21 Oct. 2024
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 
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.
Noun
Lamps And an extra layer of warmth to your space by using a tortoiseshell lamp.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024
To create this version, nail artist Hannah Flanagan applied a glassy yellow base before adding the black and brown details to create tortoiseshell spots.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 21 Oct. 2024
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
Dictionary Entries Near tortoiseshell
Cite this Entry
“Tortoiseshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tortoiseshell. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share