adj

ultraviolet

uhlt-ruh-VEYE-uh-luht

adj

Describing light or radiation with a wavelength shorter than visible light, invisible to the human eye.

"Ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause sunburn and skin damage."

"The museum uses ultraviolet light to detect forged signatures."

noun

Ultraviolet radiation or light itself.

"Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet increases the risk of skin cancer."

How to Use Ultraviolet

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLight beyond violet that we can't see, but which can burn skin and is used in various technologies.

Common pairings

ultraviolet light ultraviolet rays ultraviolet radiation

more ultraviolet comparative, ultraviolets plural, most ultraviolet superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

_____ rays from the sun can cause sunburn and skin damage.

From "ultra-" ("beyond") plus "violet", since this radiation lies just beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum.

violet Chevrolet