auroral
AmericanOther Word Forms
- aurorally adverb
Etymology
Origin of auroral
First recorded in 1545–55; auror(a) ( def. ) + -al 1
Explanation
An aurora is an astronomical phenomenon, when colored lights seem to shimmer in the sky. Auroral refers to that display––you might describe it as a show of auroral light. The best known aurora is the aurora borealis, otherwise known as the northern lights. If you ever have trouble with auroral, try to remember Fozzie Bear's summation of the impossible from a line in the "Muppet Movie": "The aurora borealis/shining down in Dallas/Can you picture that?"
Vocabulary lists containing auroral
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Skies as far south as Cornwall were lit up by the auroral display.
From BBC • Aug. 13, 2024
With more of them at the moment, there is a greater chance of more frequent and strong auroral activity.
From BBC • May 11, 2024
Both Jupiter and Saturn have active moons that occasionally eject material into space, interact with the planets, and enhance the auroral footprint on those worlds.
From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2024
"With Webb, we can really 'open the hood' on the chemistry and unpack how similar or different the auroral process may be beyond our solar system," she added.
From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024
The auroral glow is always round it, brightening the world, until it becomes an emblem of illumination and the symbol of eternal truths.
From Apologia Diffidentis by Dalton, O. M. (Ormonde Maddock)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
