Gloss · Words · Beautiful words

Beautiful words, and what they mean

Words people keep for the sound of them. The light through leaves, the smell of rain on hot ground, the wind that barely moves a curtain. Each one with its meaning in plain English, so you can use it and not just admire it.

1. petrichor nounThe earthy smell that rises when rain falls on dry ground.
2. komorebi nounSunlight filtering through leaves, and the pattern it makes.
3. apricity nounThe warmth of the sun on a cold winter day.
4. aurora nounThe dawn; also the curtains of colored light in the night sky near the poles.
5. zephyr nounA soft, gentle breeze.
6. halcyon adjectiveCalm, happy, and remembered as golden; usually said of a time in the past.
7. ethereal adjectiveSo light and delicate it seems not quite of this world.
8. diaphanous adjectiveSo light and thin you can almost see through it.
9. luminous adjectiveGiving off light, or bright as if lit from inside.
10. incandescent adjectiveGlowing with heat; also, brilliant, or burning with anger.
11. resplendent adjectiveShining and splendid; dressed or lit to impress.
12. mellifluous adjectiveA voice or sound that is smooth and sweet to hear.
13. susurrus nounA soft, whispering sound, like leaves in a breeze or a crowd talking quietly.
14. serendipity nounFinding something good by chance, when you were not looking for it.
15. ephemeral adjectiveLasting a very short time.
16. evanescent adjectiveFading quickly, gone almost as soon as it appears.
17. idyllic adjectivePeaceful and perfect, like a picture of the countryside.
18. verdant adjectiveGreen with growing plants.
19. sempiternal adjectiveLasting forever, without end.
20. pulchritude nounPhysical beauty, usually a person’s.
21. sublime adjectiveSo great or beautiful that it fills you with awe.
22. serene adjectiveCalm, peaceful, and untroubled.
23. whimsical adjectivePlayfully odd, in a charming way.

Every word here is explained six ways on its own page, the way Gloss explains any word in the app: Plain, ADHD, Gen Z, Metaphor, Formal, or Like I’m 5. For iPhone, free for three days.

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