phosphorescent
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- phosphorescently adverb
- semiphosphorescent adjective
Etymology
Origin of phosphorescent
First recorded in 1760–70; phosphor(us) + -escent
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.
At night, far from shore, more stars flickered than he’d ever noticed, and he was awestruck by the way phosphorescent creatures set the waves aglow.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025
Even without drinking the phosphorescent liquid, I can taste the sweetness of the artificial syrup I once savored.
From Salon • Jul. 21, 2024
I marveled at her brilliant and gorgeous white flowers, especially during the magical blue hour when she would almost seem phosphorescent.
From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024
To make blue light, electricity excites heavy metal-containing phosphorescent organic molecules.
From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2023
Their fish tails shimmered in rainbow colors, glowing phosphorescent.
From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan
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.
