nimbus

noun

nim·​bus ˈnim-bəs 

plural nimbi ˈnim-ˌbī  -ˌbē  or nimbuses

1

a

: a luminous vapor, cloud, or atmosphere about a god or goddess when on earth

b

: a cloud or atmosphere (as of romance) about a person or thing

2

: an indication (such as a circle) of radiant light or glory about the head of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereign

3

a

: a rain cloud

b

: thunderhead

also : cumulus sense 2

Illustration of nimbus

• nimbus 2

Synonyms of nimbus

• aura
• atmosphere
• air

Examples of nimbus in a Sentence

fans are inevitably disappointed when the nimbus of glamour about their favorite celebrity turns out to be an illusion

the nimbi for the sculpted figures around the exterior of the church are simple disks about the saints' heads

Recent Examples on the Web

Resplendent in a dark top and flowered scarves, Jackie has his hair ratted out, creating a kind of nimbus around his poignant, ready-to-laugh face, which is powdered white, with shiny, metallic-looking paillettes around the eyes. — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

This is chili spaghetti, topped with a nimbus of fluffy, shredded cheddar. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026

The threat of violence has hovered like a nimbus cloud over this election season. — Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024

Beethoven’s music acquired its nimbus of divinity and settled into these capacious Xanadus. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, rainstorm, cloud; probably akin to Latin nebula cloud — more at nebula

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for nimbus

• limbus
• cumulonimbus

Kids Definition

nimbus

noun

nim·​bus ˈnim-bəs 

plural nimbi -ˌbī 

-ˌbē

or nimbuses

1

: a shining cloud about a god or goddess when on earth

2

: an indication (as a circle) of radiant light about the head of a drawn or sculptured god or saint

3

: a rain cloud