Definition
A light source that emits primarily ultraviolet (UV) radiation, invisible to the human eye, causing fluorescent and phosphorescent materials to glow brightly—popular in nightclubs, dorm rooms, and recreational spaces. Black lights are often used with psychedelic posters and artwork that fluoresce under UV radiation.
Example Usage
Under the black light in the basement, all the glow-in-the-dark posters came to life with vivid colors.
Origin
Named for the visible light's near-complete absence; technically emits UV-A radiation around 365 nanometers wavelength.
Fun Fact
Black lights became synonymous with 1960s and 1970s counterculture and psychedelia, and are still used in combination with blacklight-reactive artwork, which became an iconic element of college dorm décor.
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “black light” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator