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
Megan Schaltegger, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Warm undertones pair well with earthy tones like browns, tortoiseshells, and warm metals, while cool undertones shine with blues, purples, and silver.
—William Mullane, Detroit Free Press, 23 Mar. 2024
For today’s pap shield, the actor opted for oversized sunglasses (in this case, square tortoiseshells with sepia lenses from Bottega Veneta) and a dark gray scarf draped over her head.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024
The expectant mom accessorized her daytime ensemble with brown tortoiseshell sunglasses and a large black and white tote bag, while her hair had styled into beachy waves.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2024
Case-Mate Crossbody Phone Chain Case-Mate’s chunky tortoiseshell crossbody chain clips onto any smartphone case, including iPhone, Samsung and Google devices.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Sep. 2023
Lawrence, a master of balancing basics using a less-is-more approach, accessorized the bundled-up ensemble with tortoiseshell sunglasses, AirPods, a yellow-cased iPhone, and a blue HydroFlask.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2024
To add flair, pair them with Celine’s leather gladiator sandals, Gucci’s tortoiseshell cat-eye sunnies, or Louis Vuitton’s Fleurs Pochette bag—a true relic of the 2000s.
—Megan O'Sullivan, Vogue, 15 June 2023
The expectant mom accessorized her daytime ensemble with brown tortoiseshell sunglasses and a large black and white tote bag, while her hair was styled into beachy waves.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 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
Here, a simple black coat over a white tee is elevated with a pair of sleek frames, the warmth of her tortoiseshell headband, and her fuzzy scarf.
—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 17 Oct. 2022
Her accessories included a caramel-toned shoulder bag by Prada and a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses from British eyewear brand DMY.
—Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Oct. 2022
Her mother was a housewife who, in the poems, sometimes wields a tortoiseshell hairbrush as a weapon of punishment.
—Sam Anderson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2022
Accessories included tortoiseshell sunglasses from British eyewear brand DMY and a caramel-toned shoulder bag by Prada.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Oct. 2022
This best-selling pair features a tortoiseshell color that will work well with practically any wardrobe.
—Samantha Lawyer, Woman's Day, 17 Aug. 2022
Her accessories included tortoiseshell sunglasses and a beige leather shoulder bag from The Row.
—Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 July 2022
Noun
Shoppers raved that the $35 style hits all the marks for comfort, style, and fit.
Scoop Buckle Slide Sandals
These casual slide sandals feel so much more elevated than similar styles thanks to the oversized tortoiseshell buckle and .5-inch block heel.
—Megan Schaltegger, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Warm undertones pair well with earthy tones like browns, tortoiseshells, and warm metals, while cool undertones shine with blues, purples, and silver.
—William Mullane, Detroit Free Press, 23 Mar. 2024
For today’s pap shield, the actor opted for oversized sunglasses (in this case, square tortoiseshells with sepia lenses from Bottega Veneta) and a dark gray scarf draped over her head.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024
The expectant mom accessorized her daytime ensemble with brown tortoiseshell sunglasses and a large black and white tote bag, while her hair had styled into beachy waves.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2024
Case-Mate Crossbody Phone Chain Case-Mate’s chunky tortoiseshell crossbody chain clips onto any smartphone case, including iPhone, Samsung and Google devices.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Sep. 2023
Lawrence, a master of balancing basics using a less-is-more approach, accessorized the bundled-up ensemble with tortoiseshell sunglasses, AirPods, a yellow-cased iPhone, and a blue HydroFlask.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2024
To add flair, pair them with Celine’s leather gladiator sandals, Gucci’s tortoiseshell cat-eye sunnies, or Louis Vuitton’s Fleurs Pochette bag—a true relic of the 2000s.
—Megan O'Sullivan, Vogue, 15 June 2023
The expectant mom accessorized her daytime ensemble with brown tortoiseshell sunglasses and a large black and white tote bag, while her hair was styled into beachy waves.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 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
Here, a simple black coat over a white tee is elevated with a pair of sleek frames, the warmth of her tortoiseshell headband, and her fuzzy scarf.
—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 17 Oct. 2022
Her accessories included a caramel-toned shoulder bag by Prada and a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses from British eyewear brand DMY.
—Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Oct. 2022
Her mother was a housewife who, in the poems, sometimes wields a tortoiseshell hairbrush as a weapon of punishment.
—Sam Anderson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2022
Accessories included tortoiseshell sunglasses from British eyewear brand DMY and a caramel-toned shoulder bag by Prada.
—Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Oct. 2022
This best-selling pair features a tortoiseshell color that will work well with practically any wardrobe.
—Samantha Lawyer, Woman's Day, 17 Aug. 2022
Her accessories included tortoiseshell sunglasses and a beige leather shoulder bag from The Row.
—Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 July 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tortoiseshell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tortoiseshell
Cite this Entry
“Tortoiseshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tortoiseshell. Accessed 19 Apr. 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
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