- 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 person who loves beauty—especially in art, nature, or everyday life.
As a true philocalist, he collected small moments of beauty wherever he went, from sunlit windows to wildflowers growing through cracks in the sidewalk.
From Greek philo- (“loving”) + kallos (“beauty”).