adjective, pearl·i·er, pearl·i·est.
- like a pearl, especially in being white or lustrous; nacreous: her pearly teeth.
- adorned with or abounding in pearls or mother-of-pearl.
adjective pearlier or pearliest
- resembling a pearl, esp in lustre
- of the colour pearl; pale bluish-grey
- decorated with pearls or mother-of-pearl
noun plural pearlies (in Britain)
- a London costermonger who wears on ceremonial occasions a traditional dress of dark clothes covered with pearl buttons
- (plural) the clothes or the buttons themselves
adj.early 15c., from pearl + -y (2). Related: Pearliness. The pearly gates of Heaven (or the New Jerusalem) are attested by 1708, from Rev. 21:21.