noun
nimbus
NIHM-buhs
Nimbus (noun) means a glowing ring or halo of light around a head, especially in religious art. Example: “The painting showed the saint with a golden nimbus around her head.”
noun
1
A glowing ring or halo of light around a head, especially in religious art.
"The painting showed the saint with a golden nimbus around her head."
2
A large grey cloud that brings rain.
"Dark nimbus clouds rolled in just before the downpour."
How to use nimbus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a halo of light, or a heavy rain cloud.
Common pairings
nimbus clouds
golden nimbus
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Word forms
- Plural
- nimbi, nimbuses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The painting showed the saint with a golden _____ around her head.
Etymology
From Latin nimbus, meaning "dark cloud." The rain-cloud sense was formalized in 1803 by the British meteorologist Luke Howard when he devised the modern system of cloud names.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “nimbus” mean?
The word “nimbus” means a glowing ring or halo of light around a head, especially in religious art. In plain terms, either a halo of light, or a heavy rain cloud.
How do you pronounce “nimbus”?
“Nimbus” is pronounced NIHM-buhs (/ˈnɪmbəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “nimbus” in a sentence?
Here is “nimbus” used in a sentence: “The painting showed the saint with a golden nimbus around her head.”
What part of speech is “nimbus”?
“Nimbus” is a noun.
Where does the word “nimbus” come from?
The word “nimbus” dates back to around 1803 and comes from Latin. From Latin nimbus, meaning "dark cloud." The rain-cloud sense was formalized in 1803 by the British meteorologist Luke Howard when he devised the modern system of cloud names.
How many meanings does “nimbus” have?
“Nimbus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a glowing ring or halo of light around a head, especially in religious art.
