phosphorescent

adjective

phos·​pho·​res·​cent ˌfäs-fə-ˈre-sᵊnt How to pronounce phosphorescent (audio)
: exhibiting phosphorescence
phosphorescently adverb

Examples of phosphorescent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web An assemblage of neon feathers and phosphorescent beads burst out of drawers and scattered across the floor. Millan Verma, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024 Forrest’s research led to the founding of Universal Display Corp., which, after more than two decades, is finally about to commercialize the last of its trio of phosphorescent colors—blue. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Jan. 2024 Replacing the fluorescent blue with phosphorescent blue will mean a more balanced pixel structure and could enable higher-resolution displays in the future. IEEE Spectrum, 19 Dec. 2023 The mythology’s a bit slippery (making mermaids the villains, for example), but the gumby character designs are fun, and phosphorescent visual effects dazzle. Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 Dec. 2023 The most popular attraction on Vieques is the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, which glows blue at night as visitors kayak through its waters filled with phosphorescent plankton. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2023 The matte, phosphorescent sigils painted onto his robe appeared to palpitate in the low light. Kent Russell, Harper's Magazine, 11 May 2022 The phosphorescent nail polish is designed to have a milky appearance during the daytime, so finish with a layer of regular top coat for a glossier effect. Sarah Maberry, ELLE, 25 Apr. 2023 Crosby, too, felt like an emissary for a different sort of American sound, more spectral, almost phosphorescent. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phosphorescent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphorescent was in 1767

Dictionary Entries Near phosphorescent

Cite this Entry

“Phosphorescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorescent. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

phosphorescent

adjective
phos·​pho·​res·​cent ˌfäs-fə-ˈres-ᵊnt How to pronounce phosphorescent (audio)
: exhibiting phosphorescence

Medical Definition

phosphorescent

adjective
phos·​pho·​res·​cent -ᵊnt How to pronounce phosphorescent (audio)
: exhibiting phosphorescence

More from Merriam-Webster on phosphorescent

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