ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

1

: situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end

—used of radiation having a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or employing ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet noun

Examples of ultraviolet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The short wavelength means the ultraviolet light carries more energy, thus enabling new applications. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026

Some of those risk factors include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high body mass index, insufficient physical activity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation and infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Epstein–Barr virus and human papillomavirus, or HPV. —Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026

The oxygen and nitrogen molecules also emit ultraviolet light, which can only be detected by special cameras on satellites. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Jan. 2026

The researchers scanned and analyzed 146 such signposts in Whitehall Forest in the state of Georgia using ultraviolet lights. —Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ultraviolet

• far-ultraviolet
• near-ultraviolet

Rhymes for ultraviolet

• inviolate
• violet

Kids Definition

ultraviolet

adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-ə-lət 

1

: located beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end and having a wavelength shorter than those of visible light but longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or using ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet noun

Medical Definition

ultraviolet

1 of 2 adjective

ul·​tra·​vi·​o·​let ˌəl-trə-ˈvī-(ə-)lət 

1

: situated beyond the visible spectrum at its violet end

—used of radiation having a wavelength shorter than wavelengths of visible light and longer than those of X-rays

2

: relating to, producing, or employing ultraviolet radiation

ultraviolet

2 of 2 noun

: ultraviolet radiation