What does "neon" mean?

The chemical element (symbol Ne) with an atomic number of 10. The second of the noble gases, it is a colourless, odorless inert gas.

What is a synonym for "neon"?

Common synonyms include: ammonia, atomic number 10, carbon dioxide, gas, ne, nitrogen.

Neon

//ˈni.ɒn// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1
The chemical element (symbol Ne) with an atomic number of 10. The second of the noble gases, it is a colourless, odorless inert gas. uncountable
2
a colorless odorless gaseous element that gives a red glow in a vacuum tube; one of the six inert gasses; occurs in the air in small amounts wordnet
3
A form or sample of the element. countable
4
Neon signs or lights, collectively. countable, uncountable
"Bring a song and a smile for the banjo Better get while the getting's good Hitch a ride to the end of the highway Where the neons turn to wood"
5
A neon tetra fish. countable

Adjective

1
That resembles a neon light; extremely bright; fluorescent not-comparable

Synonyms

All synonyms

ammonia atomic number 10 carbon dioxide gas ne nitrogen

Example

More examples

"The neon sign shone as if to invite us."

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek νέον (néon), neuter of νέος (néos, “new”), from earlier *νέϝος (*néwos), from Proto-Hellenic *newos, from Proto-Indo-European *néwos. By surface analysis, neo- + -on (suffix used in all noble gases).

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.