Halo

n.joyful, calmliterary

Meaning 1

A ring or glow of light surrounding a person or object.

Reach for it when describing a visible or artistic circle of radiance

Mist around the lantern formed a pale halo in the doorway.

everyday
glow
soft radiance matters without a precise ring shape
not when Glow spreads broadly and need not form the circle implied by halo.
formal
nimbus
a luminous cloud or disk surrounds a figure
not when Nimbus can also mean a rain cloud and may confuse a general reader.
literary
aureole
sacred art shows radiance around a figure
not when Aureole is specialized and unsuitable for an ordinary ring around the moon.

An impression of goodness or excellence that colors judgment.

Reach for it when naming an idealizing reputation or the bias it can create

One generous decision gave the company a halo it had not yet earned.

everyday
aura
an overall impression surrounds a person or institution
not when Aura can be neutral or mysterious and does not necessarily idealize its subject.
professional
prestige
earned high standing shapes how others judge the subject
not when Prestige may rest on evidence, while a halo can be an unexamined spillover effect.
literary
luster
reputation has an attractive sheen from past success
not when Luster emphasizes admired standing and misses the bias in a halo effect.

halo of light
A halo of light surrounded the reading lamp.
golden halo
The golden halo in the mural had been applied over red clay.
halo effect
The halo effect made reviewers overlook weaknesses in the second product.
borrowed halo
The endorsement lent a borrowed halo to an otherwise untested claim.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.