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# incandescence

noun (incandescence — uncountable)

«incandescence» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (science) The light given off by something because it is very hot, like a glowing metal wire or lava. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incandescence/#m1)
2. (literary) A strong bright glow or a burning strong feeling. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incandescence/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons on light and heat, old-fashioned light bulbs work by incandescence: electricity heats a thin wire until it glows white. The Sun, flames, red-hot coals and lava also shine by incandescence. In stories it describes brilliant light or passion. Phrases: incandescent bulb, the incandescence of lava.

### Examples

- An old light bulb shines by incandescence when its wire gets white-hot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incandescence/#x1)
- The incandescence of the lava lit up the night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incandescence/#x2)
- Red-hot iron in the blacksmith's fire shows incandescence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incandescence/#x3)
- LED bulbs don't use incandescence, so they waste less heat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incandescence/#x4)
- The candle flame glows by incandescence of tiny soot bits. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incandescence/#x5)
- The incandescence of the sparkler lit up our faces on Bonfire Night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incandescence/#x6)

### Note

Adjective «incandescent» — which also means extremely angry in informal UK speech («incandescent with rage»). Not the same as «fluorescence» or «luminescence», which give light without great heat (glow sticks, fireflies).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «incandescence» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/incandescence/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«incandescence» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/incandescence.html) on Mova free.