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Need a shiny word to bust out at your next disco party, planetarium visit, or fireworks gathering? How about effulgence? It’s not a shiny "new" word, having made its English language debut in the 17th century, but it does come from the Latin verb fulgēre, meaning "to shine." Effulgence isn’t used for bog-standard brightness, however; it’s reserved for shininess that dazzles, inspires, leaves you gobsmacked—in other words, "radiant splendor."
Examples of effulgence in a Sentence
the exceptional effulgence of the harvest moon is always a striking sight
Recent Examples on the Web
What’s that goopy white effulgence coming out of that girl—ectoplasm?
—
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Though the Star of Bethlehem has sunk, yet its sacred effulgence beams forth periodically, again and again, and a universe is filled with joy in honor of the Great Redeemer.
—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
23 Dec. 2024
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,
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,
16 Oct. 2017
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Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Though the Star of Bethlehem has sunk, yet its sacred effulgence beams forth periodically, again and again, and a universe is filled with joy in honor of the Great Redeemer.
—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
23 Dec. 2024
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,
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,
16 Oct. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Effulgence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effulgence. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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