Standard Lemma guide

incandesce

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌɪn.kænˈdɛs/
  • /ˌɪn.kənˈdɛs/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɛs

1

verb

Meaning 1

To make or become incandescent, especially by the application of heat.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

become incandescent or glow with heat

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an incandescing body

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change

3

verb

Meaning 3

cause to become incandescent or glow

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the lamp was incandesced

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

History

Etymology

Back-formation from incandescent or from Latin incandescere

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: нажежавам (nažežavam) — To make or become incandescent