Halo — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈhā-(ˌ)lō/ ha·lo

Meaning & Definition of Halo

Halo (noun)

  1. a circle of light appearing to surround the sun or moon and resulting from refraction or reflection of light by ice particles in the atmosphere
  2. something resembling a halo
  3. nimbus

Halo (verb)

  1. to form into or surround with a halo

Halo (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a special quality or impression associated with something

    "the halo of unimpeachable honesty in which the politician had long basked"

    similar: air, ambience, aroma, atmosphere, aura, climate, flavor, karma, mood, nimbus, note, odor, patina, smell, temper, vibration(s)
    related: aureole, mystique, romance, genius loci, feel, feeling, sensation, sense, spirit, attribute, character, characteristic, image, mark, notion, peculiarity, picture, property, trait, color, illusion, overtone, semblance, suggestion, tone

  2. an artistic rendering of radiant light around the head or body of a sacred personage

    "a naturalistic depiction of Saint Peter that shows him as a humble fisherman and without the traditional halo"

    similar: aureole, glory, nimbus
    related: starburst, sunburst, aura, corona

Halo (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in enhalo

    similar: enhalo, beam, beat (down), radiate, shine, floodlight, brighten, highlight, spotlight, bathe, beacon, emblaze, illume, illuminate, illumine, irradiate, light, lighten, blaze, burn, fire, flame, glare, glow, ignite, incinerate, kindle, bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle, gleam, glisten, glitter
    opposite: blacken, darken, obfuscate, dim, dull, obscure, cover, shroud, veil, douse, extinguish, put out, quench, snuff (out)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Halo

The most common words with a similar meaning to Halo:

air, ambience, aroma, atmosphere, aura, climate, flavor, karma, mood, nimbus, note, odor, patina, smell, temper, vibration(s), aureole, glory, enhalo, beam, beat (down), radiate, shine, floodlight, brighten, highlight, spotlight, bathe, beacon, emblaze, illume, illuminate, illumine, irradiate, light, lighten, blaze, burn, fire, flame

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Halo

Words with the opposite meaning of Halo:

blacken, darken, obfuscate, dim, dull, obscure, cover, shroud, veil, douse, extinguish, put out, quench, snuff (out)

Related Words for Halo

mystique, romance, genius loci, feel, feeling, sensation, sense, spirit, attribute, character, characteristic, image, mark, notion, peculiarity, picture, property, trait, color, illusion, overtone, semblance, suggestion, tone, starburst, sunburst, corona

Word Forms of Halo

Inflections: halos, haloes, haloed, haloing

Origin & Etymology of Halo

Latin halos, from Greek halōs threshing floor, disk, halo

First known use: 1603

Words & Phrases Containing Halo

halo-, halo effect

Frequently Asked Questions about Halo

What does "Halo" mean?

"Halo" means a circle of light appearing to surround the sun or moon and resulting from refraction or reflection of light by ice particles in the atmosphere. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a circle of light appearing to surround the sun or moon and resulting from refraction or reflection of light by ice particles in the atmosphere. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Halo"?

Other words for "Halo" include air, ambience, aroma, atmosphere, aura, climate, flavor and karma. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Halo" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Halo"?

There are 79 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Halo". Common alternatives include air, ambience, aroma, atmosphere, aura, climate, flavor, karma, mood and nimbus.

What is the opposite of "Halo"?

Antonyms of "Halo" include blacken, darken, obfuscate, dim, dull, obscure, cover and shroud.

How do you use "Halo" in a sentence?

Examples of "Halo" in a sentence: "the halo of unimpeachable honesty in which the politician had long basked"; "a naturalistic depiction of Saint Peter that shows him as a humble fisherman and without the traditional halo".

Is "Halo" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Halo" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Halo"?

"Halo" is pronounced /ˈhā-(ˌ)lō/ and divided into syllables as ha·lo.

What is the origin of the word "Halo"?

"Halo" comes from Latin halos, from Greek halōs threshing floor, disk, halo. First known use: 1603.