prismatic

adjective

pris·​mat·​ic priz-ˈma-tik 

1

: relating to, resembling, or constituting a prism

2

a

: formed by a prism

b

: resembling the colors formed by refraction of light through a prism

prismatic effects

3

: highly colored : brilliant

prismatic lyrics

4

: having such symmetry that a general form with faces cutting all axes at unspecified intercepts is a prism

prismatic crystals

prismatically

priz-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• chromatic
• colored
• colorful
• kaleidoscopic
• motley
• multicolored
• multihued
• polychromatic
• polychrome
• rainbow
• varicolored
• varied
• variegated
• various

Examples of prismatic in a Sentence

with its prismatic plumage, the ruby-throated hummingbird is one of our garden's most prized visitors

Recent Examples on the Web

To start, Polestar uses NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt) batteries with prismatic cells, unlike the LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry that many other manufacturers are increasingly turning to, largely for cost reasons. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2025

This prismatic film seamlessly intermingles the political and the personal, and both chronology and geography aren’t observed in strictly logical ways. —Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025

Convergent Paths Equip to focus your prismatic power. —Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025

Unlike the prismatic cells in the previous batteries, the new ones are cylindrical, and are said to be 20% more energy dense. —New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prismatic

• asthmatic
• chromatic
• climatic
• dogmatic
• dramatic
• ecstatic
• emphatic
• erratic
• eustatic
• fanatic
• hepatic
• lymphatic

Medical Definition

prismatic

adjective

pris·​mat·​ic priz-ˈmat-ik 

1

: relating to, resembling, or constituting a prism

2

: formed by a prism

3

: having such symmetry that a general form with faces cutting all axes at unspecified intercepts is a prism

prismatic crystals