effulgence
noun
ef·ful·gence i-ˈfu̇l-jən(t)s 
e-,
-ˈfəl- : radiant splendor : brilliance
effulgent
i-ˈfu̇l-jənt
adjective e-
-ˈfəl-
Did you know?
Need a shiny word to bust out at your next disco party, planetarium visit, or fireworks gathering? How about effulgence? It’s not a shiny "new" word, having made its English language debut in the 17th century, but it does come from the Latin verb fulgēre, meaning "to shine." Effulgence isn’t used for bog-standard brightness, however; it’s reserved for shininess that dazzles, inspires, leaves you gobsmacked—in other words, "radiant splendor."
Synonyms
- brightness
- brilliance
- brilliancy
- candor
- dazzle
- illumination
- lambency
- lightness
- luminance
- luminosity
- luminousness
- luster
- lustre
- lustrousness
- radiance
- refulgence
- splendor
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the exceptional effulgence of the harvest moon is always a striking sight
Recent Examples on the Web Just ask Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex who took her lit-from-within skin to the next level yesterday with an ample swirl of roseate blush applied to transform her pregnancy glow into a full-on display of effulgence. 
Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2018 One part shimmery smoky eye, one part unexpected pressing of pigment, Lopez's eyeshadow plotted with her luminous skin and swipe of pale pink lipgloss to exude effulgence. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2018 Absent from Van Noten’s three-decade career are stories of bankruptcy, strife, irresponsibility, overleverage, overexpansion, overspending or unhinged, dangerous effulgence. Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2017
Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2018 One part shimmery smoky eye, one part unexpected pressing of pigment, Lopez's eyeshadow plotted with her luminous skin and swipe of pale pink lipgloss to exude effulgence. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2018 Absent from Van Noten’s three-decade career are stories of bankruptcy, strife, irresponsibility, overleverage, overexpansion, overspending or unhinged, dangerous effulgence. Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2017 Word History
Etymology
Late Latin effulgentia, from Latin effulgent-, effulgens, present participle of effulgēre to shine forth, from ex- + fulgēre to shine — more at fulgent
First Known Use
1667, in the meaning defined above
effulgence
noun
as in brilliancy
the quality or state of having or giving off light the exceptional effulgence of the harvest moon is always a striking sight Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- brilliancy
- brightness
- brilliance
- illumination
- lightness
- refulgence
- glow
- radiance
- light
- luminosity
- luminousness
- splendor
- luster
- glare
- lustre
- dazzle
- glint
- gleam
- candor
- luminance
- lustrousness
- lambency
- incandescence
- flicker
- blaze
- luminescence
- flame
- sheen
- twinkle
- shimmer
- fluorescence
- shininess
- glimmer
- sparkle
- fire
- shine
- flare
- polish
- flash
- glisten
- gloss
- glitter
- burnish
- scintillation
- flash
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dulness
- darkness
- blackness
- dullness
- dark
- duskiness
- dimness
- gloominess
- somberness
- cloudiness
- obscurity
- haziness
- paleness
- murkiness
- grayness
- colorlessness
- obscureness
- shadiness
- shadowiness
- lackluster