blueshift

blue·shift
B3L1U1E1S1H4I1F4T1
/ˈbluːˌʃɪft/

noun

A decrease in the wavelength of a photon or of light while in transit, corresponding to a higher frequency and a shift toward the blue end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Opposite
redshift
Scrabble 17
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Meanings

nounblueshift (countable and uncountable, plural blueshifts)

plural blueshifts · alternative blue shift

  1. countableuncountablerelativitynatural sciencesA decrease in the wavelength of a photon or of light while in transit, corresponding to a higher frequency and a shift toward the blue end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

    Antonyms: redshift

verbblueshift (third-person singular simple present blueshifts, present participle blueshifting, simple past and past participle blueshifted)

present singular third person blueshifts · participle present blueshifting · participle past blueshifted · past blueshifted · alternative blue shift

  1. relativitynatural sciences(ergative) (said of light or a photon) To shift toward the blue end of the electromagnetic spectrum while in transit; to change to a shorter wavelength and a higher frequency.

    Antonyms: redshift

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA decrease in the wavelength of a photon or of light while in transit, corresponding to a higher frequency and a shift toward the blue end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Opposite
redshift

verb(ergative) (said of light or a photon) To shift toward the blue end of the electromagnetic spectrum while in transit; to change to a shorter wavelength and a higher frequency.

Opposite
redshift

Origin

From blue + shift.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian синьо отместване
  • синьо отместване (sinjo otmestvane)decrease in wavelength of light in transit
Catalan desplaçament cap al blau, desplaçar-se cap al blau
  • desplaçament cap al blaudecrease in wavelength of light in transit
  • desplaçar-se cap al blauto decrease wavelength of light in transit
  • desplaçar cap al blauto decrease wavelength of light in transit
Dutch blauwverschuiving
  • blauwverschuivingdecrease in wavelength of light in transit
Finnish sinisiirtymä
  • sinisiirtymädecrease in wavelength of light in transit
French décalage vers le bleu
  • décalage vers le bleudecrease in wavelength of light in transit
German Blauverschiebung
  • Blauverschiebungdecrease in wavelength of light in transit
Icelandic blávik
  • blávikdecrease in wavelength of light in transit
Irish gormaistriú
  • gormaistriúdecrease in wavelength of light in transit
Italian spostamento verso il blu
  • spostamento verso il bludecrease in wavelength of light in transit
Russian голубо́е смеще́ние
  • голубо́е смеще́ние (golubóje smeščénije)decrease in wavelength of light in transit
Spanish corrimiento al azul, desplazamiento al azul
  • corrimiento al azuldecrease in wavelength of light in transit
  • desplazamiento al azuldecrease in wavelength of light in transit
  • (equiv. to intransitive) correrse al azulto decrease wavelength of light in transit
  • desplazarse al azulto decrease wavelength of light in transit
  • correr al azulto decrease wavelength of light in transit
  • desplazar al azulto decrease wavelength of light in transit
Turkish maviye kayma
  • maviye kaymadecrease in wavelength of light in transit
Cite this entry
APA

blueshift. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/blueshift

MLA

“blueshift.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/blueshift. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “blueshift,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/blueshift.

Source: blueshift on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.