- Today's Word
Effulgent
ih-FUL-juhnt
Definition
- (adjective) Radiating brilliance, light, or joy.
Example
Her effulgent smile brightened even the gloomiest room.
Fun Fact
“Effulgent” comes from the Latin effulgere, meaning “to shine forth.” Though often used to describe literal light, such as the glow of the sun or a dazzling stage performance, it can also describe an inner radiance. Historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Princess Diana were often described as effulgent, not for physical light, but for their presence and ability to uplift others with their energy and charisma.
(noun) A social or diplomatic blunder; an embarrassing mistake made in public that violates accepted standards of behavior.
The ambassador’s gaffe was so perfectly timed — caught on a live microphone, mid-sentence, with three cameras rolling — that it became the only thing anyone remembered about the summit.