luminescence

Everyday

Luminescence is light given off by something that is not hot, for example glow-in-the-dark stickers, fireflies or some deep-sea fish. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on light: bioluminescence is light made by living things; it is different from the light of a hot bulb or fire.

Examples

• The jellyfish glowed with a blue luminescence. tree →
• Glow-in-the-dark stars show luminescence after you switch off the light. tree →
• Fireflies make their own luminescence. tree →
• The waves sparkled with luminescence at night. tree →
• Scientists study luminescence in deep-sea animals. tree →
• The watch hands shine by luminescence. tree →

Note

Uncountable: no plural normally. Adjective: luminescent. «Bioluminescence» means light from living things. Hard spelling: l-u-m-i-n-e-s-c-e-n-c-e.