Meaning & use
phosphorescence
Last updated
The emission of light by a substance without noticeable heat, continuing for a period after the source of excitation is removed.
See it in a sentence
The waves glowed with an eerie phosphorescence caused by bioluminescent plankton.
The toy's phosphorescence faded slowly after the lights were switched off.
A note on using this word
Often confused with fluorescence; phosphorescence continues glowing after the light source is removed, while fluorescence stops almost immediately.
Words with a similar meaning
glowluminosity
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