nebula means A cloud in outer space consisting of gas or dust (e.g. a cloud formed after a star explodes).
nebula is pronounced /ˈnɛbjʊlə/.
Why “nebula” is a great word
A distinct cloud in the vastness of space, composed of interstellar gas and dust, or an opacity within the eye or bodily fluid. From Latin *nebula* ("little cloud, mist"), from the Proto-Indo-European root *nebh-* ("cloud"). Unlike a "galaxy," that immense, structured city of stars, or a terrestrial "haze," a low-lying atmospheric veil, a nebula is the raw, luminous material from which such cities are born or into which they crumble. It is the great, glowing nursery in Orion where suns are kindled, the ghostly shroud of a dead star in Lyra, and the faint, drifting shadow that can cloud a human lens—a reminder that creation and dissolution share the same elementary, misty form.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin nebula (“little cloud, mist”). Akin to Ancient Greek νεφέλη (nephélē, “cloud”), German Nebel (“mist, nebula”), Old Norse nifl, Polish niebo (“sky, heaven”), Russian не́бо (nébo, “sky”).
noun
- A cloud in outer space consisting of gas or dust (e.g. a cloud formed after a star explodes).“Approximately 5 billion years ago, our solar nebula was formed as gravitational forces pulled interstellar gas and dust into a swirling mass around out newly formed sun.”
- A white spot or slight opacity of the cornea.
- A cloudy appearance in the urine.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- galaxy 87% match — The Milky Way; the apparent band of concentrated stars which appears in the night sky over earth. vs nebula →
- stardust 86% match — Small fragments of dustlike material found in space; specifically, a type of cosmic dust that formed from cooling gases ejected from presolar stars, which was then incorporated into the cloud from which the Solar System condensed. vs nebula →
- starstuff 85% match — The material composition of stars; matter originated from stars; starmatter. vs nebula →
- obnebulate 82% match — To cloud or obscure (something). vs nebula →
- firmament 81% match — The vault of the heavens, where the clouds, sun, moon, and stars can be seen; the heavens, the sky. vs nebula →
- heaven 81% match — The sky, specifically:; The distant sky in which the sun, moon, and stars appear or move; the firmament; the celestial spheres. vs nebula →
- constellation 81% match — An arbitrary formation of stars perceived as a figure (especially one from mythology) or pattern, or a division of the sky including it, especially one officially recognized by astronomers; an asterism. vs nebula →
- starmatter 81% match — The material or matter from which stars are made or of which they consist; starstuff. vs nebula →