infrared
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a type of light that you cannot see, but you can feel it as heat.
n.electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 700 nm and 1 mm, situated between the visible spectrum and microwaves.
Simple“The snake can find its prey in the dark by sensing infrared.”
In context“The telescope captures infrared to peer through dense clouds of space dust that block our view of distant stars.”
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun when referring to the radiation itself.
Synonymsthermal radiationAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.describes technology or light that uses the infrared part of the spectrum.
adj.relating to or using electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum.
Simple“You can use an infrared remote to change the TV channel.”
In context“Security teams used infrared cameras to monitor the perimeter of the building during the blackout.”
UsageThis adjective is non-gradable; something cannot be 'more infrared' than something else.
Synonyms
Usage infrared light
“In our experiments, the cover allowed more than 60% of visible light to pass through on average while reflecting more than 80% of infrared light back at the sun.”
“All these telescopes had been outfitted with newly available infrared detectors.”
From infra- + red.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.