rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryincandescentGlowing from heat
adjective

incandescent

in-kun-DES-unt/ˌɪnkənˈdesnt/

Glowing visibly from intense heat.

The incandescent filament inside the clear bulb glows yellow-white.

A close-up of a clear incandescent light bulb with its tungsten filament glowing brilliant yellow-white, making heat-generated light the unmistakable focal point.
Etymology
inLatinwithin
+candescentLatinbegin to glow, become white

The root describes beginning to glow or becoming white. With “within,” it formed a verb for becoming warm or glowing, giving the adjective its image of something made luminous by heat.

In context

Why0:02
the thin metal wire in an incandescent bulb gets so hot when an electric current flows through it that it heats up and begins to Glow
Why doesn't the filament in a light bulb burn out?

More examples

  • Incandescent lava lights the hillside as it flows downhill.
  • The blacksmith pulls an incandescent iron bar from the forge.
  • An incandescent light bulb produces light by heating a filament.

Forms

incandescent

incandescence noun — The emission of visible light from intense heat.

Similar words

glowing
Describes steady light without necessarily implying intense heat.
red-hot
Specifically describes heat intense enough to produce a red glow.