effloresce

verb

ef·​flo·​resce ˌe-flə-ˈres 

effloresced; efflorescing

intransitive verb

1

: to burst forth : bloom

2

a

: to change to a powder from loss of water of crystallization

b

: to form or become covered with a powdery crust

bricks may effloresce owing to the deposition of soluble salts

Synonyms

• bloom
• blossom
• blow
• burgeon
• bourgeon
• flower
• unfold

Examples of effloresce in a Sentence

created an artificial environment in which plants grew and effloresced regardless of season

Recent Examples on the Web

University of Washington By mid-March, the 29 Yoshino cherry trees planted on the University of Washington’s Liberal Arts Quadrangle will be efflorescing into pale-pink puffs, like giant botanical versions of cotton candy. —Leilani Marie Labong, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2023

Her later conversations with Molly effloresce into speaking aloud her own anxieties. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2021

Within days of an eruption, white bacterial mats effloresce like dustings of snow, blizzardings dancing in the currents. —Sabrina Imbler, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2021

Republican nominee Marc Molinaro would no doubt want to mention the corruption that has effloresced on Mr. Cuomo’s watch, the lousy upstate economy, and the decline of New York City’s subways. —The Editorial Board, WSJ, 21 Oct. 2018

Cherry blossoms effloresced on collars and scarves. —Isaac Oliver, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Latin efflorescere, from ex- + florescere to begin to blossom — more at florescence

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

effloresce

intransitive verb

ef·​flo·​resce ˌef-lə-ˈres 

effloresced; efflorescing

: to change to a powder from loss of water of crystallization