ultraviolet

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌʌl.trəˈvaɪə.lət/ UK /ˌʌl.trəˈvaɪə.lət/ See IPA manual

Freq #21092

Meanings

1

adj
relating to electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible violet light, conventionally about 10 to 400 nanometers

Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun can damage DNA and cause sunburn.
2

noun
the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, or radiation within that region

The protective glass blocks most of the ultraviolet before it reaches the specimen.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · relating to electromagnetic... UV

2 noun · the ultraviolet region of... UVultraviolet lightultraviolet radiation

Word family

Related forms infraredvisible lightelectromagnetic spectrumradiation

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

ultraviolet illumination
exposure to ultraviolet radiation rather than ordinary visible light

Adjective + noun

Etymology

Formed from ultra- ("beyond") + violet. The name places this radiation beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum, where its frequency is higher and its wavelength is shorter than visible violet light.

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# ultraviolet

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌʌl.trəˈvaɪə.lət/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌʌl.trəˈvaɪə.lət/
**Frequency rank:** 21092

## Meanings
1. relating to electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible violet light, conventionally about 10 to 400 nanometers
2. the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, or radiation within that region

## Examples
- Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun can damage DNA and cause sunburn.
- The protective glass blocks most of the ultraviolet before it reaches the specimen.

## Synonyms
- UV
- ultraviolet light
- ultraviolet radiation

## Related Forms
- infrared
- visible light
- electromagnetic spectrum
- radiation

## Roots and Affixes
- Affix: ultra- - beyond

## Etymology
Formed from ultra- ("beyond") + violet. The name places this radiation beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum, where its frequency is higher and its wavelength is shorter than visible violet light.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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