Meaning & use

actinic

adjective·Advanced

Last updated

Relating to the chemically active rays of light, especially ultraviolet radiation, that can cause photochemical reactions.

See it in a sentence

Prolonged sun exposure can cause actinic damage to the skin.

The dermatologist checked for actinic keratosis, a rough patch caused by years of sun exposure.

A note on using this word

Most commonly encountered in medical contexts, such as "actinic keratosis," a skin condition caused by UV exposure.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “actinic”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.