Illustration of nimbus
- nimbus 2
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
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
See All Example Sentences for nimbus
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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
See All Example Sentences for nimbus
Cite this Entry
“Nimbus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nimbus. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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