Words / C2

ri-FULJ-uh-nt/rɪˈfʌldʒənt/

Refulgent means shining brightly; radiant (literary): refulgent light, a refulgent chandelier. Bright (already in the dictionary) is everyday full of light; brilliant (already in the dictionary) is extremely good or clever, also very bright, and luminous (already in the dictionary) is giving off light. A glow (already in the dictionary) is a steady light without flames. Iridescent (already in the dictionary) is rainbow-shimmering, of changing colour not of a steady blaze. This batch: stygian is pitch-dark — the opposite flavour; pulchritude is beauty. Foyer glitter is not a sitting close.

Meaning

Shining brightly; radiant (literary).

Examples

• “A refulgent chandelier in the foyer is not a sitting close.”
• “Bright is full of light (already in A2). Brilliant is excellent or very bright (already in A2). Luminous is glowing (already in C1). A glow is a steady light without flames (already in B2). Iridescent is rainbow-shimmering (already in C2). Stygian is pitch-dark (this batch) — the contrast. Pulchritude is beauty (this batch). Atmosphere on the night can be exact. Atmosphere instead of a close is theatre. Write the minute; then the glitter.”

Good to know

Brightly shining (literary). Everyday: bright (already in this dictionary). Close: luminous (already in C1); glow (already in B2); iridescent (already in C2). This batch: stygian (the contrast); pulchritude. Glitter ≠ a close.

Near in meaning

radiant, luminous, dazzling, resplendent

New