lambent

[ lam-buhnt ]

adjective

1. softly bright or radiant:

   a lambent light.

2. running or moving lightly over a surface:

   lambent tongues of flame.

3. dealing lightly and gracefully with a subject; brilliantly playful:

   lambent wit.

lambent

/ ˈlæmbənt /

adjective

1. (esp of a flame) flickering softly over a surface
2. glowing with soft radiance
3. (of wit or humour) light or brilliant

Derived Forms

• ˈlambency, noun
• ˈlambently, adverb

Other Words From

• lambent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lambent¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin lambent- (stem of lambēns ) “lapping,” present participle of lambere “to lick, wash” (said of water or fire); akin to lap ³none; -ent none

Word History and Origins

Origin of lambent¹

C17: from the present participle of Latin lambere to lick

Example Sentences

Their lambent jams found unexpected enthusiasm inside Melbourne bars.

From New York Times

Breathtaking ombres of color ascend from the horizon, even outside its “golden hour” — the famously lambent period before sunset — even without the haze that amplifies these atmospheric special effects.

From New York Times

Half a century has passed since humans set foot on the moon, but the lunar rocks that they gathered are still revealing important information about Earth’s lambent neighbor.

From National Geographic

I ran my hands over buttery silk button-downs in deep purple and lambent teal during a Tom Ford for Gucci capsule collection, and slipped into a cream column dress with a cutout at the hip.

From Los Angeles Times

Unfolding over the span of just a few days, “Song Lang” renders the two men’s brief encounter, heavy with unspoken longing and connection, against a lambent backdrop of golden-green light and swirling dust.

From New York Times