aurora

noun

au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrȯr-ə 

ȯ-

plural auroras or aurorae ə-ˈrȯr-(ˌ)ē 

ȯ-

1

: dawn

2

Aurora : the Roman goddess of dawn compare eos

3

: a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions and is caused by the emission of light from atoms excited by electrons accelerated along the planet's magnetic field lines

auroral

ə-ˈrȯr-əl 

ȯ-

adjective

aurorean

ə-ˈrȯr-ē-ən 

ȯ-

adjective

Synonyms of aurora

• sunrise
• day
• dawn
• morning
• morn

Examples of aurora in a Sentence

a gorgeous pink aurora aroused us out of our slumber

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, the ejection or CME could increase the chances of colorful auroras after sunset if conditions line up. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Keep in mind that tonight’s waxing gibbous moon will be 60 percent illuminated, which could make spotting fainter auroras tricky. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026

Astrotourism continues to be one of the world’s leading trends, and many travelers make big plans to cross oceans and continents just to experience auroras, meteor showers, and some of the darkest night skies in the world. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026

Remember, auroras are naturally fickle; their strength and reach depend on what conditions are actually like when the solar material reaches Earth, so forecasts can change as the event gets closer. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin — more at east

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aurora

• aurora australis
• aurora borealis

Rhymes for aurora

• aurorae
• fedora
• menorah
• minora
• pandora
• pecora
• senhora
• senora
• signora
• aura
• bora
• burra

Kids Definition

aurora

noun

au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrōr-ə 

ȯ-ˈrōr-, 

-ˈrȯr-

plural auroras or aurorae -ē 

1

: dawn entry 2 sense 1

2

: aurora borealis

3

: aurora australis

auroral

-əl 

adjective

Geographical Definition

Aurora

geographical name

Au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrȯr-ə 

ȯ-

1

city in north central Colorado east of Denver

2

city west of Chicago in northeastern Illinois

3

town north of Toronto in southeastern Ontario, Canada