Need a shiny word to bust out at your next disco party, planetarium visit, or fireworks gathering? How about effulgence? It’s not a shiny "new" word, having made its English language debut in the 17th century, but it does come from the Latin verb fulgēre, meaning "to shine." Effulgence isn’t used for bog-standard brightness, however; it’s reserved for shininess that dazzles, inspires, leaves you gobsmacked—in other words, "radiant splendor."
the exceptional effulgence of the harvest moon is always a striking sight
Recent Examples on the WebJust ask Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex who took her lit-from-within skin to the next level yesterday with an ample swirl of roseate blush applied to transform her pregnancy glow into a full-on display of effulgence. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2018 One part shimmery smoky eye, one part unexpected pressing of pigment, Lopez's eyeshadow plotted with her luminous skin and swipe of pale pink lipgloss to exude effulgence. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2018 Absent from Van Noten’s three-decade career are stories of bankruptcy, strife, irresponsibility, overleverage, overexpansion, overspending or unhinged, dangerous effulgence. Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2017
Word History
Etymology
Late Latin effulgentia, from Latin effulgent-, effulgens, present participle of effulgēre to shine forth, from ex- + fulgēre to shine — more at fulgent