OPAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does opal mean? 

• OPAL (noun)
  The noun OPAL has 1 sense:

1. a translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color; some varieties are used as gemstones

  Familiarity information: OPAL used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color; some varieties are used as gemstones

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("opal" is a kind of...):

mineral (solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition)

opaque gem (a gemstone that is opaque)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opal"):

black opal (a dark colored opal with internal reflections of green or red)

fire opal; girasol (an opal with flaming orange and yellow and red colors)

harlequin opal (a reddish opal with small patches of brilliant color)

Derivation:

opalize (replace or convert into opal)

opalize (make opalescent)

 Context examples 

Ah yes, I recall the case; it was concerned with an opal tiara.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Suddenly one of these gypsies in trembling opal, seizes a cocktail out of the air, dumps it down for courage and moving her hands like Frisco dances out alone on the canvas platform.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)