refulgent means resplendent, or shining brightly and radiantly. It carries an Arena rating of 1930, earned across 55 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, refulgent ranks #118 of 42,747 for Qualifying, #262 of 17,130 for Most Beautiful Words, #3,234 of 17,124 for Most Sublime Words, #3,237 of 17,127 for Most Vivid Words.
refulgent is pronounced /ɹəˈfʌld͡ʒənt/.
Why “refulgent” is a great word
Shining radiantly; brilliantly bright. From Latin refulgēns, present participle of refulgēre, from re- ("back, intensifying") + fulgēre ("to shine, glitter"), first recorded in English c. 1500. Unlike "luminous," which suggests a steady, inherent glow, or "resplendent," which connotes a glorious, decorated magnificence, refulgent is the sudden, uncontainable burst of light that demands the eyes flinch. It is the sun’s first spear through a storm-racked sky, the blinding flash of a mirror catching the midday sun, or the terrible, beautiful flare of a dying star—a brilliance so absolute it feels like an admonition.
Etymology
From Latin refulgentem, accusative singular of refulgēns, present active participle of refulgeō, from re- (“back”) + fulgeō (“shine”). By surface analysis, re- + Latin fulg(ere) + -ent.
adj
- Resplendent, or shining brightly and radiantly.
- As if giving off light or warmth.e.g.“She had a refulgent smile.”
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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