WordGarden.iohalo
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈeɪləʊ/
US
- /ˈheɪloʊ/
Meanings
Noun
a ring or disk of light around a holy person's head
a circular glow or ring of light around something
a ring seen around the sun, moon, or another bright object in the sky
More meaningsFewer meanings
an aura of goodness, fame, or positive feeling around someone or something
Verb
to surround with or as if with a halo or glow
Proper-noun
a video game and media franchise
Beyond the definition
A halo is often pictured as a glowing circle around the head of an angel, saint, or other holy figure in art. It can also be a real ring of light seen around the sun or moon when light passes through ice crystals high in the sky.
The word is also used in a figurative way. Someone may seem to have one when they appear especially good, admirable, or pure. Sometimes this idea shows up in the phrase "halo effect," which means one strong good impression makes people judge the whole person or thing more positively. It can also be used with a touch of irony when someone seems a little too perfect.
The word "halo" most commonly refers to a circle of light shown around the head of a holy person, angel, saint, or deity in religious art. It is used as a sign of holiness, purity, or divine favor. In paintings, icons, and other sacred images, this glowing ring helps show that the figure is special in a spiritual way.
However, "halo" also has a scientific meaning. In meteorology, it is a ring of light that appears around the sun or moon when light passes through ice crystals in the atmosphere. These bright circles can look sharp or faint, and they are different from rainbows, which are caused by water droplets.
Beyond these literal meanings, "halo" is often used as a metaphor for an air of goodness, innocence, beauty, or success around someone or something. A person with a very kind public image may seem to have one, and a successful product or brand may also benefit from this positive glow. The word can also be used ironically to suggest that someone acts too pure, too innocent, or morally superior.
This idea appears in the common phrase "halo effect" in psychology. The halo effect is a mental bias in which one good quality shapes our whole judgment. For example, if someone seems attractive, confident, or charming, people may also assume that person is smarter, kinder, or more capable, even without real evidence.
Whether it appears in sacred art, in the sky, or in the way we judge people, "halo" suggests brightness, approval, and a special kind of positive attention.
Examples
- 1
Sky
There was a faint halo around the moon after sunset.
- 2
Religious art
In the church window, the saint is painted with a gold halo.
- 3
Lighting
The bedside lamp threw a warm halo of light across the room.
- 4
Backlighting
With the sun behind her, her hair looked like it had a halo around it.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Reputation
The company enjoyed a halo effect after one of its products won a major design award.
- Phrasehalo effect
when one good thing makes people judge other things more positively
See also
Forms and spellings
5 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- halonounverb
Forms
- halospluralnounverb
- haloespluralnounverb
- haloedpast tenseverbnoun
- haloing-ing formverbnoun