French word

perle

Pronunciation

IPA/pɛʁl/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpearl

Example

Ce collier a une perle.

This necklace has a pearl.

Illustration for perle (pearl)

More examples

J'ai trouvé une perle sur la plage.

I found a pearl on the beach.

Core concept

A lustrous organic gem made when a mollusk builds smooth layers of nacre around a core.

Common phrases

  • une perle de culture

    cultured pearl

  • une perle noire

    black pearl

  • une perle de tapioca

    tapioca pearl

Similar words

bijou: A small piece of jewelry or other ornament worn for decoration.
collier: A piece of decorative jewelry worn around the neck.

Definition in French

Désigne une petite gemme organique, souvent sphérique et à surface nacrée, produite par certains mollusques et utilisée en bijouterie.

Word origin

The French noun perle developed from Old French perle, which came from Medieval Latin perla; English pearl has the same historical family.

Usage tips

  • In C'est une perle, perle can praise an unusually admirable person rather than name a gem.

Other meanings

  • beadnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word