Standard Lemma guide

luminesce

verb · 2 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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  • US: /ˌlumɪˈnɛs/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɛs

1

verb

Meaning 1

To give off light, including in the invisible electromagnetic radiation frequencies, or become luminescent.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • Phosphorus will only begin to luminesce at a certain small pressure of oxygen.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

be or become luminescent; exhibit luminescence

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: reflect, shine

History

Etymology

Back-formation from luminescent.