refulgent

American  

[ri-fuhl-juhnt] / rɪˈfʌl dʒənt /

adjective

1. shining brightly; radiant; gleaming.

   Crystal chandeliers and gilded walls made the opera house a refulgent setting for the ball.

2. very attractive or impressive; dazzling; brilliant.

   His refulgent smile brightened the day of everyone who saw it.

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refulgent British  

/ rɪˈfʌldʒənt /

adjective

1. literary shining, brilliant, or radiant

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Other Word Forms

• refulgence noun
• refulgency noun
• refulgently adverb
• refulgentness noun
• unrefulgent adjective
• unrefulgently adverb

Etymology

Origin of refulgent

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin refulgent-, stem of refulgēns, present participle of refulgēre “to radiate light”; see re-, fulgent

Explanation

If someone tells you that you have refulgent eyes, they mean that your eyes shine brightly, like the stars. This suggests that your special someone is the poetic type, since refulgent is a literary way of saying "bright." The adjective refulgent comes from the Latin fulgere, meaning "to shine." Refulgent is used both literally and figuratively. On a bright day, the sun can be described as refulgent, and the beautiful, sunny weather might cause you to break into a refulgent smile. Refulgent shines brightly among its synonyms: radiant, dazzling, and luminous. You'll typically encounter refulgent in literature and poetry, but using this word is a great way to show off your refulgent mind.

Example Sentences

In recent years, however, the golden age has become refulgent again.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

There are few directors around with as much command of material culture as Coppola, who imbues the setting’s silks, crinolines, glassware and candle wax with refulgent depth and texture.

From Washington Post • Jun. 29, 2017

Soprano Anna Christy, although not pitch-perfect in “Stetit puella,” had a luscious, refulgent tone.

From Washington Post • Sep. 30, 2016

When the electronic latch clicks open for admission, the atmosphere inside is so hushed I whisper my intention – an appointment with their most refulgent star of all: Salman Rushdie.

From The Guardian • Sep. 6, 2015

There was the same cool green light from the canopy, the same refulgent smell, the same awe-inspiring sense of variety.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann