neon

[ nee-on ]

noun

1. Chemistry. a chemically inert gaseous element occurring in small amounts in the earth's atmosphere, used chiefly in a type of electrical lamp. : Ne; : 20.183; : 10; density: 0.9002 grams/liter at 0°C and 760 millimeters pressure.
2. neon lamp.
3. a sign or advertising sign formed from neon lamps.

adjective

1. using or containing the gas neon.
2. made of or formed by a neon lamp or lamps:

   a neon sign.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a tawdry urban district or of gaudy nighttime entertainment.

neon

/ ˈniːɒn /

noun

1. a colourless odourless rare gaseous element, an inert gas occurring in trace amounts in the atmosphere: used in illuminated signs and lights. Symbol: Ne; atomic no: 10; atomic wt: 20.1797; valency: 0; density: 0.899 90 kg/m³; melting pt: –248.59°C; boiling pt: –246.08°C
2. modifier of or illuminated by neon or neon lamps

   neon sign

neon

/ nē′ŏn′ /

1. A rare colorless element in the noble gas group that occurs naturally in extremely small amounts in the atmosphere. It glows reddish orange when electricity passes through it, as in a tube in an electric neon light. Neon is also used for refrigeration. Atomic number 10; atomic weight 20.180; melting point −248.67°C; boiling point −245.95°C.
2. See Periodic Table

Word History and Origins

Origin of neon¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; from New Latin, from Greek néon “new, recent” (neuter of néos ); -on ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of neon¹

C19: via New Latin from Greek neon new

Example Sentences

There’s the neon GloFish with added fluorescence, which you can find at a pet store.

From MIT Technology Review

Locked in animated conversation, they seem oblivious to the pulsating neon enticements of the surrounding dumpling houses and barbecue joints.

From Fortune

Dayna Marie, a petite, gravel-voiced 20-year-old with an ever-changing inventory of neon hair, would follow a few weeks later.

From Vox

It was in an evenly windowed fourplex lined with neon shamrocks and various bits of Americana.

From Ozy

They were able to link neon colors to corals experiencing mild heat stress.

From Science News For Students

Her neon blue hair is teased high with a gray stripe emerging from the front.

From The Daily Beast

But here they are, stage names spelled out in neon across the iconic marquee: MAPEI AND LYKKE LI.

From The Daily Beast

The Neon Ceiling was the most challenging piece of work for me, it was like an independent movie for television, and I loved it.

From The Daily Beast

On a boulevard with stacked neon-lit signs blanketing the buildings, Veatch finds the gaming arcade frequented by the Kims.

From The Daily Beast

Chicken Bitches, now in a neon yellow bow wig and floral caftan, announces the final round: talent.

From The Daily Beast

Nine identical High-Pocketses—all so tall they had to weave around the neon lights instead of ducking under them.

From Project Gutenberg

And then Lamb began to taste something like panic even as the first neon signs began to smear the wintry shadows.

From Project Gutenberg

Neon, the ancestors of Brachylles, who were the most prominent in the party which favoured Macedonia.

From Project Gutenberg

It took ten minutes to reach the tavern; a standard gin mill with a red neon sign proclaiming its presence.

From Project Gutenberg

I even knocked out every red neon sign within two blocks of a traffic light.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blazing
• brilliant
• glowing
• lambent
• luminous
• radiant
• shining
• vivid