bioluminescence
/ˌbaɪ.əʊ.luː.mɪˈnɛs.əns/ IELTSAcademic
noun
the light made by living things, such as fireflies, glow-worms, and some sea animals. It is light produced by a chemical reaction inside the body.
- Fireflies use bioluminescence to attract mates.
- The deep sea was full of bioluminescence.
- Some mushrooms show bioluminescence at night.
Adinary Nuance
Bioluminescence is not the same as fluorescence or phosphorescence. Those words describe materials that glow after light hits them, but bioluminescence comes from a living organism. Writers use it when the light is natural and alive, not just shiny or glowing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự phát sáng sinh học
- Spanish
- bioluminiscencia
- Chinese
- 生物发光
- Japanese
- 生物発光
- Korean
- 생물발광
Etymology
The word comes from Greek and Latin roots: bio- meaning “life,” and luminescence meaning “light.” It entered English in the 20th century.
Common phrases
bioluminescent creaturesbioluminescent algaea bioluminescent glowbioluminescent waters
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is bioluminescence the same as fluorescence?
- No. Bioluminescence is light made by a living thing. Fluorescence needs outside light to shine.
- Is bioluminescence a common word in everyday English?
- Not really. It is common in science, nature writing, and academic reading.
- How do I use bioluminescence in a sentence?
- Use it for living things that give off light naturally: “The jellyfish showed bioluminescence.”
- Is bioluminescent the adjective form?
- Yes. Bioluminescent means “giving off light by living processes.”