fluorescent

adjective

fluo·​res·​cent flu̇-ˈre-sᵊnt 

flȯ-

1

: having or relating to fluorescence

2

: bright and glowing as a result of fluorescence

fluorescent inks

broadly : very bright in color

fluorescent noun

fluorescently adverb

Examples of fluorescent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bleicher’s descriptions of the neurons and their workings, paired with Ginty’s fluorescent portraits of the various cell types, convey an entire world operating beyond our perception. —Quanta Magazine, 15 Dec. 2025

To see the flu virus clearly, scientists often add fluorescent tags that made the virus glow. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 12 Dec. 2025

Underneath the bright fluorescent lights of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, doctors respond to a loud, electronic ping. —Ashley Boucher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025

In the thick of hunting season, safety precautions typically involve wearing blaze orange and fluorescent pink, keeping fingers outside the trigger guard until a target is identified, and pointing the muzzle in a safe direction. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fluorescent

• compact fluorescent bulb
• compact fluorescent lamp
• compact fluorescent light
• compact fluorescent light bulb
• fluorescent lamp

Rhymes for fluorescent

• depressant
• incessant
• putrescent
• quiescent
• senescent
• suppressant
• acquiescent
• adolescent
• arborescent
• coalescent
• convalescent
• deliquescent

Kids Definition

fluorescent

adjective

flu·​o·​res·​cent

ˌflu̇(-ə)r-ˈes-ᵊnt

1

: having or relating to fluorescence

2

: very bright in color

fluorescent markers