incandescent

Everyday

1. Giving out bright light because it is very hot, as in an incandescent light bulb. tree →
2. (formal) Extremely angry, as in «incandescent with rage». tree →
3. Very bright, brilliant or full of feeling. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, an incandescent bulb glows because a thin wire inside gets very hot; it wastes much energy as heat, so it has been replaced by LED bulbs. In stories: incandescent with rage = furious. Lava and hot metal are incandescent.

Examples

• An incandescent bulb gets very hot. tree →
• The lava was incandescent and orange. tree →
• The blacksmith's iron was incandescent in the fire. tree →
• Dad was incandescent with rage about the scratched car. tree →
• LED bulbs use less energy than incandescent ones. tree →
• Her smile was incandescent. tree →

Note

Formal. Noun: incandescence. Science: in old bulbs most energy is wasted as heat, which is why they feel hot; LEDs are much more efficient.