Words of Positivity
Browse the A to Z index4,633 ENTRIES

Effulgent

adj.joyful, hopefulliterary

What it means

Shining with intense brightness or radiant splendor.

Reach for it when giving elevated praise to literal radiance or a dazzling appearance

An effulgent moon turned the snowfield silver.

Choose between these

6
  • everyday

    brilliant

    when very strong light should be named plainly

    not when Brilliant also means intelligent or excellent and can introduce ambiguity.

  • everyday

    gleaming

    when reflected light flashes from a polished surface

    not when Gleaming is more specific to surface reflection and less majestic.

  • warm

    radiant

    when visible brightness or joyful appearance is central

    not when Radiant is less rare and does not carry effulgent's ornate grandeur.

  • professional

    incandescent

    when heat-produced light or figurative intensity matters

    not when Incandescent can suggest anger and is technically wrong for reflected light.

  • professional

    luminous

    when something emits or seems filled with light

    not when Luminous can be soft and steady rather than intensely brilliant.

  • literary

    resplendent

    when rich, impressive beauty matters with brightness

    not when Resplendent often praises dress or display and may sound excessive for natural simplicity.

Said against

4
  • dim
  • dull
  • shadowy
  • lustreless

It naturally appears in

3
  • effulgent light

    Effulgent light poured through the reopened rose window.

  • effulgent beauty

    The painting's effulgent beauty survives its darkened varnish.

  • effulgent glow

    An effulgent glow spread across the eastern clouds.