Fluorescent

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Fluorescent

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

flaw-RES-unt  /flɔːˈrɛs(ə)nt/

Definition

Emitting visible light when exposed to ultraviolet or other radiation; having a very bright, vivid colour that seems to emit light even in daylight.

Plain meaning

Fluorescent means glowing — either technically, by emitting light under UV radiation, or in everyday use, describing the intensely bright colours that appear to glow even in normal light.

Register

Technical in scientific use. Standard and informal when describing vivid colours. Both uses are widely understood.