noctilucent
Say it: nok-tih-LOO-suhnt /ˌnɒktɪˈluːsənt/ · adjective
What “noctilucent” means
Shining at night.
More precisely: Shining at night, especially of thin high clouds glowing after sunset.
Example: “On summer nights in Scotland you can sometimes see noctilucent clouds.”
When to use it
Use it especially for high clouds that glow after sunset, in scientific descriptions or precise nature writing.
Memory trick
Latin “nox” means night and “lucere” means to shine: shining when the sky is dark.
Similar words
night-shining, luminous, glowing
Where it comes from
Latin nox 'night' and lucere 'to shine'.
Quick check
Long after sunset, thin high clouds still shine silver-blue against a darkening sky. Which word describes them?
overcast or noctilucent?
Show the answer
noctilucent
Learn 5 new words a day in Kinquire. Each with a picture, how to say it, an example and a quick check, then spaced review so you actually keep them. Free to start.
Learn “noctilucent”