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

• 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

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

All these flat shapes are limned by dark lines — the reverse of the delicate nimbus of light surrounding them in the original. —Washington Post, 4 Jan. 2023

The Ottoman artist chose to depict the prophet’s purity through the use of white fabrics, and his entire being as touched by the light of God via the large flaming nimbus that encircles his body. —Christiane Gruber, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2023

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