noun
aurora
uh-ROR-uh/ɝˈɔrʌ/
A natural display of colored light in the sky near Earth's polar regions.
A green aurora ripples across the dark sky above the snowy hills.
Etymology
Aurora names the Roman goddess of dawn, and English aurora originally meant “morning light” or “dawn.” The selected sense applies this dawn-associated name to the polar light display.
In context
… while the Southern Aurora illuminates the night sky above, the sea below produces a strange blue glow …
More examples
- The travelers hoped to see an aurora during their northern visit.
- Bright auroras sometimes extend beyond the polar regions.
- The photograph captures the aurora's changing bands of color.
Forms
aurora · auroras · aurorae
auroral adjective — Relating to the polar light display.
Similar words
- northern lights
- Specifically names auroras visible in the northern hemisphere.
- southern lights
- Specifically names auroras visible in the southern hemisphere.