neon
neon — noun
1. A colourless, odourless gas that makes up a tiny fraction of the air. It stays c
A colourless, odourless gas that makes up a tiny fraction of the air. It stays chemically inactive and gives off a red-orange glow under an electric current. This gas is used in signs, lights, and certain lasers.
The bright red sign above the diner was filled with neon gas.
collocation: neon gas / neon sign
Scientists use small amounts of neon in some lasers and specialised lights.
Salma learned in chemistry class that neon does not react with other elements.
The old casino sign on the roof glowed with soft, reddish neon light.
Padma watched the delicate glass tubes glow as electricity passed through the neon.
- inert gas
technical category of gases including neon; not a synonym in everyday usage
文法句型
neon + noun (neon sign, neon light, neon gas)
用法筆記
Frequently used before another noun (neon sign, neon light, neon tube), where it functions similarly to adjective sense 1. The chemical symbol is Ne.
常見錯誤
neon — adjective
1. Made with or using the gas neon in thin glass tubes that produce light when elec
Made with or using the gas neon in thin glass tubes that produce light when electricity passes through them.
A neon sign outside the bookstore blinked on and off all night.
collocation: neon sign
The artist created a sculpture with thin neon tubes in blue and red.
Jiwoo pointed at the blue neon arrow above the shop doorway.
Many old theatres still have beautiful neon lighting on their front walls.
- fluorescent
overlaps in everyday speech but fluorescent technically refers to a different lighting technology (coated tubes)
文法句型
neon + noun (neon sign, neon display)
常見錯誤
2. Extremely bright and intense in colour, similar to the glowing colours of neon l
Extremely bright and intense in colour, similar to the glowing colours of neon light tubes. Used especially for artificial shades such as green, pink, yellow, and orange.
Eli wore a neon green jacket so cars could see him on the dark road.
collocation: neon green / neon pink
The gym walls were painted a shocking shade of neon pink.
Chidi bought neon yellow shoelaces for his running shoes.
Jessica decorated her bedroom with posters in bright neon colours.
The lifeguard wore a neon orange swimsuit so she could be seen easily.
- fluorescent
very close in meaning; 'fluorescent' is slightly more technical and often implies the colour glows under UV light
- bright
general term for any strong colour; less intense than 'neon'
- vivid
suggests clarity and richness of colour; 'neon' implies an almost unnatural, artificial brightness
- garish
negative connotation — too bright in a way that looks cheap or ugly
文法句型
neon + colour (neon green, neon pink)
neon + noun (neon clothes, neon paint)
用法筆記
Always followed by a specific colour name (neon green, neon pink) or a general noun like 'colours'. 'Neon' alone is rarely used as a colour name in natural English.