luminescent

IPA/ˌluːmɪˈnesnt/
KK[lˌumənˈɛsənt]IPA/ˌluːmɪˈnesnt/

luminescent — adjective

  • luminescentpositive
  • more luminescentcomparative
  • most luminescentsuperlative

1. giving off light from a surface that stays cool to the touch — true of some chem

1.形容詞C1
釋義

giving off light from a surface that stays cool to the touch — true of some chemicals, minerals, and deep-sea creatures that glow on their own without any heat

例句

The luminescent dial of Noor's old watch glowed faintly in the dark room.

attributive: luminescent + man-made object

Amihan photographed a trail of luminescent plankton while kayaking at night.

同義詞
  • phosphorescent

    continues to glow after the light source is removed

  • bioluminescent

    cold light produced specifically by living creatures

  • fluorescent

    emits light only when absorbing radiation from an outside source

反義詞
  • incandescent

    producing light through heat, like a traditional light bulb

用法筆記

Used of materials and living things that produce their own light through chemical reactions rather than heat. Common in descriptions of bioluminescent organisms, glow-in-the-dark products, and certain minerals.

常見錯誤

❌The fluorescent lights in the lab were luminescent.
✅The fluorescent lights in the lab were bright.
💡fluorescent objects need an external light source to glow; luminescent objects produce their own light through a chemical process.
❌She wore a luminescent safety vest.
✅She wore a reflective safety vest.
💡safety vests reflect light from outside; they do not emit their own light.

2. looking as if lit from within — used of faces, skin, colours, and scenes that ha

2.形容詞C1
釋義

looking as if lit from within — used of faces, skin, colours, and scenes that have a soft, glowing quality

例句

Mathieu's face was luminescent with pride as he held his newborn daughter.

predicative: [face] was luminescent with [emotion]

The autumn leaves turned a luminescent gold in the late-afternoon sunlight.

同義詞
  • radiant

    suggests warmth and happiness, often used of a person's expression

  • glowing

    more common and neutral; can describe both literal and figurative brightness

  • luminous

    simply 'full of light' or 'bright'; lacks the figurative sense of an inner glow

反義詞
  • dull

    lacking brightness or visual liveliness

用法筆記

Figurative extension of sense 1. Describes anything that appears to glow, especially faces showing strong emotion, vivid colours in nature, or striking visual scenes. The subject does not literally produce light.

常見錯誤

❌Her luminous jacket was easy to spot.
✅Her bright jacket was easy to spot.
💡'luminous' means simply giving off or reflecting light; 'luminescent' in this sense implies a soft, inner glow, usually describing faces, colours, or delicate beauty.