aureole

noun

au·​re·​ole ˈȯr-ē-ˌōl How to pronounce aureole (audio)
variants or aureola
ȯ-ˈrē-ə-lə How to pronounce aureole (audio)
ə-
Synonyms of aureolenext
1
a
: a radiant light around the head or body of a representation of a sacred personage
b
: something resembling an aureole
an aureole of hair
2
: radiance, aura
an aureole of youth and health
3
: the luminous area surrounding the sun or other bright light when seen through thin cloud or mist : corona
4
: a ring-shaped zone around an igneous intrusion
aureole transitive verb

Synonyms

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Examples of aureole in a Sentence

the white marble sculpture of the saint in the throes of divine ecstasy is strikingly offset by a gilt aureole
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jacob knew from photographs the goblin face, the aureole of whitening hair. — Lan Samantha Chang, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023 Like his crossed legs, Cannon’s head and upper torso are framed in flickering swipes of green, as if this is a depiction of a holy man surrounded by an incandescent aureole. — Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aureole heavenly crown worn by saints, from Medieval Latin aureola, from Latin, feminine of aureolus golden, diminutive of aureus

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of aureole was in 1731

Browse Nearby Words

aurene
aureole
aureolin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aureole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aureole. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

aureole

noun
au·​re·​ole ˈȯr-ē-ˌōl How to pronounce aureole (audio)
variants or aureola
ȯ-ˈrē-ə-lə How to pronounce aureole (audio)
1
: a radiant light around the head or body in a picture of a sacred person
2
: a bright area surrounding a bright light (as of the sun's disk) when seen through thin cloud or mist

More from Merriam-Webster on aureole

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aureole

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