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

459 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

64 4.1

Shining or glowing brightly, often seeming very happy

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

sparkly

vsfulgid

30 2.3

Shining with many small bright points like glitter

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

brilliant

vsfulgid

30 3.0

Very bright and shining with strong light

contrasts by adding short sudden flashes rather than only intense light

glittery

vsfulgid

11 2.7

Shining with many small, bright points of light

emphasizes brief brilliant points rather than continuous surface shine

sparkling

vsfulgid

5 1.3

Shining with small bright points like light on snow

focuses more narrowly on brief brilliant points than general liveliness

dazzling

vsfulgid

2 3.1

So bright that it is hard to see

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

glittering

vsfulgid

2 3.0

Shining with many small bright points like stars

is about sudden brilliant flashes rather than continuous surface sparkle

glaring

vsfulgid

1 3.8

A very bright light that hurts your eyes

is more about brief brilliant flashes than sustained blinding intensity

scintillating

vsfulgid

1 8.2

Sparkling with small bright flashes of light

focuses on brief brilliant points rather than continuous sparkle

blazing

vsfulgid

1 3.5

Shining very brightly like the sun

differs by having brief brilliant points rather than mainly full intensity

scintillant

vsfulgid

Literature

9.9

Shining with many small bright flashes of light

emphasizes brief brilliant flashes as the defining feature

coruscant

vsfulgid

Literature

9.9

Shining with quick, bright flashes like sparks

highlights those brief brilliant points as central rather than steady shine

glistering

vsfulgid

Archaic

7.9

Shining with small bright points like light on water

is defined by those short brilliant flashes more than general shine

glinting

vsfulgid

3.6

Shines with small bright flashes of light

stresses those brief brilliant flashes rather than a steady gleam

aglitter

vsfulgid

Literature

8.1

Shining with many small bright points of light

centres on brief brilliant flashes rather than steady glitter

twinkling

vsfulgid

3.3

Shining with small bright flashes of light

emphasizes short brilliant points more than gentle flicker

gleamy

vsfulgid

4.2

A smooth shiny surface that reflects light

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

beamy

vsfulgid

8.6

Shining with bright light or looking very happy

is more about short brilliant flashes than steady ray emission

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

fulgurant

vsfulgid

Literature

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

fulgent

vsfulgid

Literature

9.9

Shining with a strong, bright light

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

Antonyms

dull

31 1.0

Not bright or shiny with weak colour

faded

1 2.7

Memories or feelings that become less clear over time

How Bright

dazzling

2 3.1

fulgid

Literature

9.9

sparkling

5 1.3

gleaming

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.