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

The ceilings, floors, and walls were glaringly white under harsh fluorescent lights; the air was completely still. —Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026

The restaurant is a no-frills affair, a vacuous space with fluorescent lights and vinyl flooring. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026

But after nearly two decades of hard work, conservationists are finally reintroducing a new generation of the tiny, fluorescent amphibians back into the tropical island’s ecosystem. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026

Green fluorescent protein is already a de facto reference point for the field, used as a practice protein in experiments before attempting bigger goals. —Marc Zimmer, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026

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 lightbulb
• 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