coruscate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to emit vivid flashes of light; sparkle; scintillate; gleam.
Here was a sapphire, perfectly spherical and over four inches in diameter, that coruscated with a dazzling blue fire.
-
to show spectacular technique or mastery.
His writing coruscates with brilliant poetic flourishes.
The lead player’s coruscating guitar work is a signature feature of many tracks on the album.
verb
Other Word Forms
- coruscating adjective
Etymology
Origin of coruscate
First recorded in 1695–1705; from Latin coruscātus, past participle of coruscāre “to quiver, flash”; see coruscant
Explanation
Coruscate is a verb that means to sparkle or give off reflected flashes of light. Think of the way the little mirrors on a disco ball coruscate as the ball twirls, making the dance floor sparkle. Although coruscate means to glitter with light, you can also use the word, in a less literal way, to refer to someone with such great style or ability that they seem to sparkle. Your best friend's performance in the school play might coruscate with such brilliance that the audience gives her a standing ovation during her curtain call.
Vocabulary lists containing coruscate
Quiz yourself on these words spoken by the man at the center of the "Laurel" / "Yanny" craze!
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
All the Light We Cannot See
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Martian
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Metallic shards of blue, red, and white light coruscate across the reflective steel and glass backdrop.
From Washington Post • Mar. 23, 2017
He has deployed witticisms and aphorisms that coruscate with good-natured sophistication.
From Slate • Mar. 21, 2017
The shadow chancellor stood at the House of Commons despatch box at 13.20 GMT to coruscate Philip Hammond over his Autumn Statement.
From BBC • Nov. 24, 2016
He admires the centuries-old abbey: O'er this north door a trace still lingers Of how a Gothic craftsman's fingers Could make stones creep like ivy stems And tilings coruscate like gems.
From Time Magazine Archive
We might have twinkled on several days of last week, but we prefer to coruscate on last night.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, March 22, 1890 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
