ébloui

Ébloui is a French adjective and the past participle of the verb éblouir. It describes someone or something that is dazzled or blinded by a strong light, or that provokes a powerful impression. The feminine form is éblouie and the plural forms are éblouis (masc.) and éblouies (fem.). In a figurative sense, ébloui can describe someone overwhelmed by beauty, spectacle, or charm.

As a grammatical form, ébloui can function as a predicate adjective (Il était ébloui par le spectacle) or as part of a noun phrase describing a state of astonishment. The noun forms related to the idea of dazzling are éblouissement (dazzlement, dazzling effect) and éblouissant (dazzling, dazzlingly). The word is common in literature, journalism, and everyday speech when conveying intense visual or emotional impact.

Etymology and origin: ébloui is derived from the verb éblouir, which conveys the act of causing someone to lose their sight momentarily or to be overwhelmed by light or splendor. The prefix é- adds intensity, and -louir is the core of the root associated with brightness or glare. The term has been in use in French since the Middle Ages and remains active in contemporary usage.

Usage notes: ébloui usually refers to optical or sensory effects (bright light, glare, brilliance) but can also describe figurative awe or admiration. It contrasts with terms such as éblouissant when describing ongoing or general quality, or with émerveillé, which emphasizes wonder rather than sheer glare.

See also: éblouissement, éblouissant, éblouir, émerveiller.