coruscation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "coruscation" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It means a sudden, brief display of bright light or brilliance, or a sparkling or flashing effect. It is often used in a figurative sense to describe something that is vibrant, lively, or impressive. Example: The city's skyline was a coruscation of lights and colors, illuminating the night sky and creating a sense of magic and wonder.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Whether Jack is hallucinating or splitting his personality (neither of which one normally associates with the afterlife) I cannot say, but the result is a multimillion-dollar retread of Buñuel's "Simon of the Desert," without a scrap of Buñuel's coruscation.

The New Yorker

I, of course, defer to their collective coruscation, a Parkeresque/Wildean conflux of semi-improvised comic acumen it would have been philistine to sully with my hack, desiccated rabbit-pellets of "professional jokes".

The Guardian - Music

There is a section of tolling, funereal stasis, in which the energy of the music dissipates almost to oblivion, before gathering itself into another geometric storm of colour and coruscation.

The Guardian - Music

For Ginzburg, the second story underscoring the first is the dark coruscation of history: the role her family played in the anti-Fascist movement in Italy, and the fate of those closest to them during the German occupation.

The New Yorker

The program began, after a moment of silence for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, with Mr. Watkins's "Coruscation and Reflection" (1998), a two-movement exploration of the common ground between virtuosity and introspection, counterintuitive as that may seem.

The New York Times - Arts

Much of the "Coruscation" movement demands sizzling, high-energy playing, and "Reflection" is, as you might guess, quieter and more overtly lyrical.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

All these things — the rubbed amber, the magnets, the crystal radio, the clock dials with their tireless coruscations — gave me a sense of invisible rays and forces, a sense that beneath the familiar world of colors and appearances lay a dark, hidden world of mysterious laws and phenomena.

The New Yorker

It extended itself — not evenly, but in fits and starts, around her waist, like a shingly girdle pushing long fibrous fingers down toward her groin, thrusting out cysts and gritty coruscations above her pubic hair.

The New Yorker

It seems to me that you have the possibility of being baroque early on and if you go the wrong way round and you are simple in the beginning and you have increasing coruscations of complexity, it doesn't work".

The Guardian - Books

Great eruptions, coruscations and globs of coloured matter spill from the walls and creep across the gallery floor.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coruscation" to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your writing when describing light or visual displays. It's particularly effective in literary contexts to evoke a sense of wonder or beauty.

Common error

Avoid using "coruscation" in everyday or ordinary situations where simpler words like "sparkle" or "shine" would suffice. Overusing sophisticated vocabulary can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "coruscation" is as a noun, referring to a sudden display of brilliance or a sparkling effect. Ludwig confirms its correct usage as a noun in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Music

20%

Arts

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coruscation" is a grammatically sound noun that describes a sudden and brilliant display of light or sparkle. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, particularly in formal and descriptive contexts. While not an everyday word, "coruscation" adds sophistication to writing when used appropriately. It's often found in news, media, arts, and music contexts, as illustrated by the examples provided. When aiming to describe something radiant or glittering, "coruscation" can be a powerful and evocative choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shimmering brilliance

Focuses more on the continuous, wavering quality of light.

glittering display

Emphasizes the visual spectacle and sparkle.

sparkling radiance

Highlights the bright and luminous nature.

dazzling light

Stresses the overwhelming and impressive nature of the light.

vivid illumination

Focuses on the clarity and intensity of the light.

effulgent glow

Describes a radiant and intensely bright light.

iridescent sheen

Highlights the play of colors within the light.

scintillating display

Emphasizes the lively and sparkling quality of the light.

luminescent flash

Focuses on the brief and radiant burst of light.

radiant sparkle

Combines brightness and a lively, glittering effect.

FAQs

How can I use "coruscation" in a sentence?

You can use "coruscation" to describe a sudden display of brilliance or a sparkling effect. For example: "The city's skyline was a "coruscation" of lights at night."

What is a simpler word I can use instead of "coruscation"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "sparkle", "glitter", or "shine".

Is "coruscation" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "coruscation" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when aiming for a descriptive or literary tone. However, ensure the context warrants such a sophisticated word.

What's the difference between "coruscation" and "iridescence"?

"Coruscation" refers to a general display of brilliance or sparkling light, while "iridescence" specifically describes the display of a range of lustrous, changing colors.