1 effulgence | Definition of effulgence
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effulgence

noun
ef·​ful·​gence | \ i-ˈfu̇l-jÉ™n(t)s How to pronounce effulgence (audio) , e-, -ˈfÉ™l- How to pronounce effulgence (audio) \

Definition of effulgence

: radiant splendor : brilliance
Other Words from effulgence Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about effulgence

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Other Words from effulgence

effulgent \ i-​ˈfu̇l-​jÉ™nt How to pronounce effulgent (audio) , e-​ , -​ˈfÉ™l-​ \ adjective

Did You Know?

Apparently, English speakers first took a shine to "effulgence" in the middle of the 17th century; that's when the word was first used in print in our language. Effulgence derives from the Latin verb fulgēre, which means "to shine." "Fulgēre" is also the root of "fulgent," a synonym of "radiant" that English speakers have used since the 15th century. Another related word, "refulgence," is about 30 years older than "effulgence." "Refulgence" carries a meaning similar to "effulgence" but sometimes goes further by implying reflectivity, as in "the refulgence of the knight’s gleaming armor."

Examples of effulgence in a Sentence

the exceptional effulgence of the harvest moon is always a striking sight

Recent Examples on the Web

 Just ask Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex who took her lit-from-within skin to the next level yesterday with an ample swirl of roseate blush applied to transform her pregnancy glow into a full-on display of effulgence. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Meghan Markle Plays Up Her Pregnancy Glow With This Easy Makeup Trick," 30 Oct. 2018 One part shimmery smoky eye, one part unexpected pressing of pigment, Lopez's eyeshadow plotted with her luminous skin and swipe of pale pink lipgloss to exude effulgence. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Jennifer Lopez Has an Edgy Alternative to the Standard Smoky Eye," 22 Jan. 2018 Absent from Van Noten’s three-decade career are stories of bankruptcy, strife, irresponsibility, overleverage, overexpansion, overspending or unhinged, dangerous effulgence. — Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, "Dries Van Noten, Icon of Creative Freedom," 16 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'effulgence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of effulgence

1667, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for effulgence

Late Latin effulgentia, from Latin effulgent-, effulgens, present participle of effulgēre to shine forth, from ex- + fulgēre to shine — more at fulgent

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for effulgence

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