fulgid

9.9

Shining very brightly with small flashes of light

adjective
/ˈfʊl.dʒɪd/

Literature

: fulgido

The surface of the gemstone was fulgid in the sunlight, catching every eye in the room.

Examples

Her dress had a fulgid sheen, making her stand out on the dance floor.
He admired the fulgid stars that pierced the night sky with their brilliance.
The fulgid stars lit up the night sky.
She wore a fulgid dress that caught everyone's eye.
He admired the fulgid stars that pierced the night sky with their brilliance.
Her dress had a fulgid sheen, making her stand out on the dance floor.
The surface of the gemstone was fulgid in the sunlight, catching every eye in the room.

Synonyms

bright

vsfulgid

510 1.0

Full of strong light that makes a place easy to see

introduces brief brilliant points as an extra feature versus steady shine

radiant

vsfulgid

59 4.1

Shining or glowing brightly, often seeming very happy

adds sudden brilliant points to the steady glow rather than constant light

blazing

vsfulgid

39 3.5

Shining very brightly like the sun

differs by having brief brilliant points rather than mainly full intensity

sparkly

vsfulgid

36 2.3

Shining with many small bright points like glitter

limits the effect to brief brilliant flashes rather than many small dots

sparkling

vsfulgid

33 1.3

Shining with small bright points like light on snow

focuses more narrowly on brief brilliant points than general liveliness

glittering

vsfulgid

32 3.0

Shining with many small bright points like stars

is about sudden brilliant flashes rather than continuous surface sparkle

brilliant

vsfulgid

24 3.0

Very bright and shining with strong light

contrasts by adding short sudden flashes rather than only intense light

glittery

vsfulgid

13 2.7

Shining with many small, bright points of light

emphasizes brief brilliant points rather than continuous surface shine

twinkling

vsfulgid

10 3.3

Shining with small bright flashes of light

emphasizes short brilliant points more than gentle flicker

glaring

vsfulgid

6 3.8

A very bright light that hurts your eyes

is more about brief brilliant flashes than sustained blinding intensity

dazzling

vsfulgid

3 3.1

So bright that it is hard to see

is more controlled, focusing on flashing brilliant points not blinding glare

glinting

vsfulgid

3 3.6

Shines with small bright flashes of light

stresses those brief brilliant flashes rather than a steady gleam

scintillating

vsfulgid

1 8.2

Sparkling with small bright flashes of light

focuses on brief brilliant points rather than continuous sparkle

glistering

vsfulgid

Archaic

1 7.9

Shining with small bright points like light on water

is defined by those short brilliant flashes more than general shine

scintillant

vsfulgid

Literature

1 9.9

Shining with many small bright flashes of light

emphasizes brief brilliant flashes as the defining feature

aglitter

vsfulgid

Literature

1 8.1

Shining with many small bright points of light

centres on brief brilliant flashes rather than steady glitter

gleamy

vsfulgid

1 4.2

A smooth shiny surface that reflects light

is sharper, focusing on sudden brilliant points rather than soft shine

beamy

vsfulgid

1 8.6

Shining with bright light or looking very happy

is more about short brilliant flashes than steady ray emission

fulgurant

vsfulgid

Literature

1 9.9

Something that shines very brightly and suddenly, like lightning, to surprise people

is narrower, focusing on brief brilliant points rather than broad strike

coruscant

vsfulgid

Literature

1 9.9

Shining with quick, bright flashes like sparks

highlights those brief brilliant points as central rather than steady shine

fulgent

vsfulgid

Literature

1 9.9

Shining with a strong, bright light

adds the idea of brief brilliant points rather than only intense radiance

fulgurous

vsfulgid

Literature

9.9

Very bright and flashing like lightning that makes a strong impression

keeps the image smaller, stressing brief brilliant points over grandeur

Antonyms

dull

30 1.0

Not bright or shiny with weak colour

faded

20 2.7

Memories or feelings that become less clear over time

How Bright

dazzling

3 3.1

fulgid

Literature

9.9

sparkling

33 1.3

gleaming

41 3.2

Surface Forms

fulgid positive

Morphology

fulgid = fulg + id

The form is a Latinate combining form 'fulg-' plus the non-productive adjectival suffix '-id', so an average B1 learner cannot derive the meaning from familiar English base words.

Etymology

Fulgid comes from the Latin fulgere 'to shine' and is the same idea behind the English word effulgent, which describes a very bright, shining light. So, fulgid means 'shining brilliantly', like a sudden bright flash.