ultraviolet
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.describes light that has a higher frequency than the violet light we can see.
adj.relating to electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between approximately 10 and 400 nanometres, situated between visible light and X-rays.
Simple“You should wear sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays.”
In context“The telescope was designed to detect ultraviolet emissions from distant stars that are otherwise obscured by interstellar dust.”
UsageOften used as a compound adjective with 'light', 'radiation', or 'rays'.
SynonymsUVAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.ultraviolet light or the part of the light spectrum that it belongs to.
n.ultraviolet radiation or the region of the electromagnetic spectrum occupied by such radiation.
Simple“The scientist used a special lamp that produces ultraviolet to find the hidden marks.”
In context“The atmosphere absorbs the majority of the sun's extreme ultraviolet, preventing the most energetic radiation from reaching the planet's surface.”
UsageTypically functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the radiation itself.
SynonymsUV radiation
Usage ultraviolet radiation · ultraviolet light
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Latin ūls Proto-Indo-European *-teros? Latin -ter Old Latin -ād Latin -ā Latin ultrālbor. English ultra- Latin viola Old French -ette Old French violettebor. Middle English violet English violet English ultraviolet From ultra- (“beyond”) + violet (“violet”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.