incandescent

[ in-kuhn-des-uhnt ]

adjective

1. (of light) produced by incandescence.
2. glowing or white with heat.
3. intensely bright; brilliant.
4. brilliant; masterly; extraordinarily lucid:

   an incandescent masterpiece; incandescent wit.

5. aglow with ardor, purpose, etc.:

   the incandescent vitality of youth.

   Synonyms: dynamic, brilliant

incandescent

/ ˌɪnkænˈdɛsənt /

adjective

1. emitting light as a result of being heated to a high temperature; red-hot or white-hot
2. informal.
   extremely angry; raging

Derived Forms

• ˌincanˈdescently, adverb

Other Words From

• incan·descent·ly adverb
• nonin·can·descent adjective
• nonin·can·descent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of incandescent¹

1785–95; < Latin incandēscent- (stem of incandēscēns ), present participle of incandēscere to glow. See in- ², candescent

Word History and Origins

Origin of incandescent¹

C18: from Latin incandescere to become hot, glow, from in- ² + candescere to grow bright, from candēre to be white; see candid

Example Sentences

Nicole says the idea of them speaking regularly, forming close friendships and supporting each other would make Al Fayed “absolutely incandescent with rage” if he were alive to see it.

From BBC

The Constitution is incandescently clear on this point: Congress is the supreme branch of government.

From Los Angeles Times

Rather than incandescent tungsten or wine and olive oil, however, these constantly morphing shapes carry sparkling pinpoints of light.

From Los Angeles Times

Obsessed with his actors’ power and symbolism, Erice appears to cast them based on their eyes, more specifically their incandescent expressiveness.

From Los Angeles Times

Remaining anonymous to protect her brother’s identity, she said she was “incandescent with rage” that he had been forced to wait so long.

From BBC

Related Words

• luminous
• radiant
• shining