prismatic
adjective
pris·mat·ic
priz-ˈma-tik 
1
: relating to, resembling, or constituting a prism
2
a
: formed by a prism
b
: resembling the colors formed by refraction of light through a prism
prismatic effects
3
: highly colored : brilliant
prismatic lyrics
4
: having such symmetry that a general form with faces cutting all axes at unspecified intercepts is a prism
prismatic crystals
Synonyms
Examples of prismatic in a Sentence
with its prismatic plumage, the ruby-throated hummingbird is one of our garden's most prized visitors
Recent Examples on the Web
Luckily, André 3000’s 87-minute ambient music odyssey is a gorgeous, deeply contemporary, prismatic breath of fresh incense.
—
Christopher R. Weingarten, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2023
Out of the many outsized personalities who defined the wooly auteur movement of Hollywood’s late 1960s and early ’70s, none embodied that prismatic era better than Francis Ford Coppola.
—Elizabeth Nelson, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
That level of aero slipperiness, plus a new generation of prismatic cell in the battery pack, will help the LF-ZC offer what Lexus promises is twice the range of current EVs.
—Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 25 Oct. 2023
Strangers to Ourselves is, as Aviv explains, a prismatic experience: each chapter refracts in the light of what came before and what comes next.
—Chris Strathmann, Hazlitt, 18 Oct. 2023
The director even visualizes the idea that reality is prismatic rather than linear, occasionally fracturing the image of le Carré and his genteel environs into kaleidoscopic shards.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023
One of Bail’s chief observations about Twitter is that its prismatic qualities generate a strong effect on users: Its feedback makes very clear who your friends and enemies are.
—Willy Staley, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2023
Tesla pioneered the use of thousands of small-format cylindrical cells (similar to AA batteries) in a battery pack; many other makers have opted for hundreds of larger cells in pouch or prismatic formats, which are two versions of rectangular shapes.
—John Voelcker, Car and Driver, 28 June 2023
But within hours of landing in Oslo, the Norwegian capital presented me with a prismatic fantasy version of itself.
—Sloane Crosley, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2023
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Christopher R. Weingarten, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2023
Out of the many outsized personalities who defined the wooly auteur movement of Hollywood’s late 1960s and early ’70s, none embodied that prismatic era better than Francis Ford Coppola.
—Elizabeth Nelson, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
That level of aero slipperiness, plus a new generation of prismatic cell in the battery pack, will help the LF-ZC offer what Lexus promises is twice the range of current EVs.
—Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 25 Oct. 2023
Strangers to Ourselves is, as Aviv explains, a prismatic experience: each chapter refracts in the light of what came before and what comes next.
—Chris Strathmann, Hazlitt, 18 Oct. 2023
The director even visualizes the idea that reality is prismatic rather than linear, occasionally fracturing the image of le Carré and his genteel environs into kaleidoscopic shards.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023
One of Bail’s chief observations about Twitter is that its prismatic qualities generate a strong effect on users: Its feedback makes very clear who your friends and enemies are.
—Willy Staley, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2023
Tesla pioneered the use of thousands of small-format cylindrical cells (similar to AA batteries) in a battery pack; many other makers have opted for hundreds of larger cells in pouch or prismatic formats, which are two versions of rectangular shapes.
—John Voelcker, Car and Driver, 28 June 2023
But within hours of landing in Oslo, the Norwegian capital presented me with a prismatic fantasy version of itself.
—Sloane Crosley, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prismatic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near prismatic
Cite this Entry
“Prismatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prismatic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Medical Definition
prismatic
adjective
pris·mat·ic
priz-ˈmat-ik
1
: relating to, resembling, or constituting a prism
2
: formed by a prism
3
: having such symmetry that a general form with faces cutting all axes at unspecified intercepts is a prism
prismatic crystals
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